The sound of gamelan echoes from the multipurpose building of SMP Negeri 2 Ponorogo, accompanying the steps of students filling the hall for practice. Inside the room, Jathilan dancers memorize floor patterns, Bujang Ganong repeatedly refines his agile movements, Klono Sewandono practices aligning firm and authoritative movements, while Warok and Singo Barong build strength and teamwork in every scene. Meanwhile, the musicians maintain tempo and harmony so that every movement unites with the musical accompaniment. This practice session is part of the Jaya Manggala Reog Group's preparation for the 2026 Youth Reog Festival.
The Reog group, which is a mandatory extracurricular activity at SMP Negeri 2 Ponorogo, consists of 125 students. They are divided into various formations of performance elements, namely consisting of 28 Jathilan dancers, 4 Bujang Ganong, 1 Klono Sewandono, 20 Warok dancers, and 7 Singo Barong (Dhadhak Merak) with the rest making up the musicians' team. The training is done gradually, starting from mastering movements, synchronizing musical accompaniment, evaluating formations, to rehearsing before the performance. Each process is an important part of building the cohesiveness of a performance involving hundreds of artists.
Behind the training that takes place almost every day before the festival, the students continue to perform their roles as learners. After attending classes in the morning until noon, they acquire knowledge in the classrooms, while after the school bell rings, they move to the training area. They train again to perfect each movement and rhythm. The ability to divide time between studying and training is part of the process they undergo to preserve traditions while fulfilling their responsibilities as students.
A number of student Reog dancers pose in one of the classrooms at SMP Negeri 2 Ponorogo before participating in the Reog Ponorogo extracurricular arts practice after school. ANTARA PHOTO/Muhammad Mada
A number of student Reog dancers take part in a teaching and learning activity in one of the classrooms at SMP Negeri 2 Ponorogo. ANTARA PHOTO/Muhammad Mada
The head of SMP Negeri 2 Ponorogo, Imam Saifudin, said that for his school, Reog Ponorogo is not just an art performed on certain occasions, but a cultural heritage that has taken root in school life. This commitment is realized through mandatory extracurricular activities held every week as a space for students to learn and preserve regional culture, especially Reog Ponorogo. Preparations for the 2026 Youth Reog Festival were conducted over three months with the support of teachers, students, the school committee, parents, and strategic partners. The entire process is directed towards producing the best performance while instilling values of discipline, cooperation, and responsibility in the students.
The recognition of Reog Ponorogo by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of the world is a significant milestone, as well as a reminder that preservation does not stop at international recognition. The effort requires space for the young generation to continue learning, practicing, and performing. Through the organization of the 2026 Youth Reog Festival, the Ponorogo District Government provides a platform for students to develop skills while strengthening the regeneration of Reog artists. Thus, the practice, preparation, and performance on the festival stage that students of SMP Negeri 2 Ponorogo undertake become part of the process of maintaining the sustainability of the tradition, so that it remains alive and bequeathed to the next generation.
Photo & Text: Muhammad Mada
A student Reog dancer shows his Bujang Ganong mask while participating in the Reog Ponorogo extracurricular practice after school. ANTARA PHOTO/Muhammad Mada
A number of Reog Ponorogo student dancers adorn themselves before performing at the 2026 Youth Reog Festival. ANTARA PHOTO/Muhammad Mada
A coach gives instructions to a student Reog dancer while participating in the Reog Ponorogo extracurricular practice in the Multi-purpose Hall of SMP Negeri 2 Ponorogo. ANTARA PHOTO/Muhammad Mada
A number of student Reog dancers practice acrobatic movements by climbing the Singo Barong masks during a full rehearsal before the 2026 Youth Reog Festival performance. ANTARA PHOTO/Muhammad Mada
A number of Reog Ponorogo student dancers adorn themselves before performing at the 2026 Youth Reog Festival. ANTARA PHOTO/Muhammad Mada
A number of SMP Negeri 2 Ponorogo students perform the Reog Ponorogo dance during a full rehearsal before performing at the 2026 Youth Reog Festival. ANTARA PHOTO/Muhammad Mada
Two Singo Barong masks are stored in one corner of the music studio room at SMP Negeri 2 Ponorogo. ANTARA PHOTO/Muhammad Mada
A number of student Reog dancers chat after a full rehearsal before the 2026 Youth Reog Festival performance. ANTARA PHOTO/Muhammad Mada
A number of SMP Negeri 2 Ponorogo students perform the Reog Ponorogo dance while participating in the Youth Reog Festival at Ponorogo Square. ANTARA PHOTO/Muhammad Mada
All Reog Ponorogo student dancers and coaches do a team cheer before performing at the 2026 Youth Reog Festival. ANTARA PHOTO/Muhammad Mada
Editor: Zarqoni Maksum
The caption is automatically translated by application. Click here for the Bahasa Indonesia version.
