cirebon cultural tourism 
Tari Topeng Cirebon is an art that has existed since the time of our ancestors. Dance itself is an art that relies on human body movements such as hands, feet and body accompanied by certain music. One of them is the art of Tari Topeng which originates from Cirebon and Indramayu.
The History of Tari Topeng
This dance, where the dancers wear masks, has existed in the world since pre-historic times. Widely used in dances that are part of traditional ceremonies or retellings of ancient stories from ancestors. The masks are believed to be associate with ancestral spirits and interpretations of the Gods. In some tribes, masks still adorn various daily artistic and traditional activities. According to history, Prince Angkawijaya created this dance 400 years ago.
The Types
In the dance, dancers use Pasut, which is the name for the clothes that dancers use. There are several types of mask dances in Cirebon, namely Panji, Samba, Rumyang, Tumenggung and Kelana. Tari topeng Panji itself depicts someone who is holy and newly born in the world, and this dance has very smooth and gentle movements. Then there is Tari Topeng samba which depicts someone who has entered the childhood phase, and this dance movement is so lively and funny that is very synonymous with children.
Next there is Tari Topeng Rumyang which depicts someone entering the adult phase, in all the dance movements it has a meaning of goodness. Then there is Tari Topeng Tumenggung which has the meaning of someone who has a firm and virtuous soul. So the dance has a message about very high loyal characteristics and personality. Finally, there is Tari topeng kelana which depicts someone who has an angry and angry nature, from the type of mask we can see the role of evil or antagonist. The five of this dance have different mask and dance forms and different message objectives.
This art is still preserved in Cirebon and Indramayu. The people of Cirebon and Indramayu often use Tari Kelana and Samba. School children such as elementary school, middle school and high school usually play this dance. In several schools in Cirebon use this dance as an extra-curricular and artistic activity.
Written by Pipit Pitriyani
