The story of No Katung, The Only One Crafter of Barongan Kucingan from Blitar City who Still Survive

SURYAMALANG.com, Blitar - Barongan is one of Indonesian art from Java and Bali. Barongan is depicted in animal form and has various forms and one characteristic of Blitar City.

It has a characteristic is pointed nose and does not have canine tooth. Usually, people called as barongan is the charasteristic of Blitar City named kucingan, because it is similar with tiger head.

Not many barongan craftsman with type kucingan in Blitar City. 

One of the craftsmen still survives is Muhammad Arif Suwarno (30) or which is usually called No Katung, from Kelurahan Sentul, Kepanjenkidul sub-district, Blitar City .

"Maybe, I am the only one barongan craftsman with type kucingan in Blitar City who still survive until now. The others already retired," No Katung said when he was met in his home on Wednesday (10/17/2018).

When SURYAMALANG.com come, No Katung is finishing the barongan order with type kucingan on the terrace his house. He sit with position his both thighs flanking wood. His right hand seen holding on small hammer and the left hand bring chisel.

He looks patient carving wood forming barongan. Beside him, there are some barongan craft in line that have already chiseled. The condition still plain, not yet painted.

"My workplace is in here, on the terrace the house. I work alone," he said.

Father of two children start pursue making barongan kucingan craft since 2007. Initially, he just tried it. 

At that time, he saw barongan kucingan craftsman in Blitar City began to disappear.

Some of the craftsman already old and retired. There is no one continues those craft.

From there, former factory employee moved for make barongan kucingan craft.

According to No Katung, barongan kucingan is a characteristic of Blitar City. This barongan kucingan looks like tiger head that has characteristic pointed nose and does not have canine tooth.

"There is two type of barongan in here, barongan dragon and barongan kucingan. The typical in Blitar city is barongan kucingan with characteristic pointed nose and does not have canine tooth," he said.

Both of barongan type can be used for the art of jaranan. However, how to use it differently. How to use barongan dragon in a way held it while barongan kucingan used in a way bitten. Its use similar with mask.

"Barongan kucingan used for dancing," he said.

No Katung make barongan kucingan craft only as order. The buyer mostly in the Blitar city. He confessed to have been overwhelmed by receiving orders. People order this day, the items finish one until two months. It is because the number of order.

It is also because No Katung works alone. He had looked for the worker to help make barongan craft, but the result not even maximum.

"It is Difficult to train the worker for make this craft, moreover if they do not have soul art.  Finally, I prefer work alone," he said

For speed up production, No Katung collaborate with his friends. 

No Katung only part of sculpt wood forming barongan. For painting submitted to his friends. 

The Buyer can look for painter by theirself depend on their taste.

Therefore, in a month, No Katung can finish six barongan.

"Making process one barongan need five days until a week," he said.

Now No Katung starts be creative with barongan kucingan craft. He does not only serve barongan kucingan production Blitar characteristic.

He also make monster barongan kucingan. This monster barongan kucingan type has characteristic fanged teeth and bigger nose.

Besides that, he also make bantengan craft. Bantengan craft is similar with barongan, but bull-headed complete with horn.

"It just economy, because demand the market. However, I still become specialist barongan kucingan craft maker," he said.

For price, No Katung does not give high price. He sells barongan kucingan start from IDR 350,000 to IDR 700,000. 

While bantengan on sale start from Rp. 750,000 to IDR 1 million. It is selling price barongan craft and bantengan plain. It means, barongan and bantengan has not been painted.

No Katung choose cangkring wood and waru wood for make barongan kucingan. He choose jackfruit wood for make bantengan craft.

"The expensive or cheap price depend on shape. If the shape is complicated, the price more expensive, “he said.

(sha)

Translator        : Hesti Muqaromah Aini