Ondel-ondel (اوندل٢), the towering puppet figures of Betawi culture, are among the most striking icons of Jakarta. Traditionally known as barongan (باروڠن), these sacred ancestral effigies were believed to protect villages from misfortune and evil spirits. The practice of parading these 2.5-meter-tall dolls—always in male-female pairs—dates back as far as 1605, when Dutch records noted giant puppets in the royal procession of Prince Jayakarta Wijayakrama.
But over time, these mystical figures were transformed. What was once part of sacred rituals with offerings of incense and flowers has evolved into a public performance art seen in carnivals, parades, and even traffic lights. Their eerie faces—once fierce with fangs and goggle-eyes—have softened, painted to be more inviting. Today, ondel-ondel performances are part of weddings, building inaugurations, and even neighborhood festivals in Jakarta’s kampungs.
Threads of Meaning: The Symbolism Woven into Their Costumes
Historically, every part of an ondel-ondel carried symbolic meaning. The red-painted face of the male figure symbolized courage and protective power, while the white-faced female figure embodied purity and care. Their elaborate costumes—complete with kembang kelapa (coconut flower headdresses), cukin scarves, and jamblang sarongs—reflected layers of Betawi heritage influenced by Chinese, Arab, Indian, and European cultures.
But the sacred has gradually become symbolic. Scholars like Yahya Andi Saputra note that ondel-ondel once served as mediators between ancestral spirits and the living. In today’s secular Jakarta, their spiritual function has largely faded—replaced by entertainment, tourism, and economic utility. While these shifts mark the decline of traditional ritual, they also reflect Jakarta’s capacity for cultural adaptation.
From Spirit to Symbol: The Civic Reinvention of Ondel-Ondel
Jakarta’s modernization under Governor Ali Sadikin in the 1970s gave ondel-ondel a new role—as mascots of the capital. The government adopted them as a visual identity of Betawi culture, placing them at the entrances of buildings, cultural centers, and city festivals.
Yet with urban growth and globalization, their presence also became more commercialized. From decorative statues to keychains and refrigerator magnets, ondel-ondel began appearing in miniaturized forms, often mass-produced without their traditional symbolism. The shift from sacred guardians to souvenirs has raised concerns about cultural dilution, particularly among traditionalists and cultural institutions like the Jakarta Department of Culture (Dinas Kebudayaan DKI Jakarta).
Shrinking Spirits: When Tradition Gets Trapped in a Trinket
Originally made from bamboo frames and wooden masks painted with bold Betawi colors—red, white, yellow, blue—ondel-ondel were full-bodied figures that danced to the rhythm of gambang kromong and tanjidor. Now, many decorative versions only replicate the head, especially the floral crown and headgear (stangan), seen as the most recognizable features.
This transformation has led to symbolic erosion. According to research by Purbasari et al. (2019), key costume elements like the cukin, toka-toka beads, or the gender-paired symbolism are often omitted. As a result, newer ondel-ondel products are sometimes misinterpreted or lose their distinctiveness altogether, especially when created without cultural understanding.
Saving the Giants: What Jakarta Is Doing to Protect Ondel-Ondel
Recognizing this cultural drift, the Jakarta government issued regulations like Governor Regulation No. 11/2017, which designates ondel-ondel as an official Betawi cultural symbol. Preservation efforts include registering Betawi performance groups, offering training and funds for cultural actors, and encouraging performances in public parks rather than on sidewalks for donations.
There are also creative initiatives: monthly cultural events, theatrical reinterpretations of ondel-ondel, and youth-involved community performances. These programs aim to reintroduce meaning and pride in Betawi heritage—encouraging younger generations to view ondel-ondel not just as entertainment, but as living representations of their cultural roots.
Still Dancing: Why Ondel-Ondel Remains a Cultural Powerhouse
Ondel-ondel’s journey—from mystical protector to modern-day mascot—is a powerful metaphor for Jakarta itself: layered, diverse, and constantly adapting. As Betawi’s largest cultural symbol, it reflects the social currents, artistic choices, and policy decisions that shape how tradition survives.
The challenge now lies in honoring that legacy without losing its meaning. With thoughtful stewardship and public awareness, ondel-ondel can remain more than just a doll—it can continue as a vessel of cultural memory, creativity, and identity for generations to come.
Reference(s):
- Handayani, Y., Rakhman, A. S., & Hidayat, A. (2023). Ondel-Ondel sebagai ikon seni tradisi Betawi [Ondel-Ondel as icons of Betawi traditional art]. Chronologia, 5(1), 35–44. https://doi.org/10.22236/jhe.v5i1.11563
- Noor, M. A. R., & Yusup, T. (2023). Budaya ondel-ondel: Pergeseran makna, fenomena ngamen, dan implikasi terhadap identitas etnis masyarakat Betawi. Moderat: Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Pemerintahan, 9(4), 864–874.
- Purbasari, M., Marianto, M. D., & Burhan, M. A. (2019). Ondel-ondel kekinian: Boneka besar Betawi di zaman modern. Productum: Jurnal Desain Produk (Pengetahuan dan Perancangan Produk), 3(6), 183–188.
