By: Wari Wicatman
Editor, Jayanews.com
If you travel through the villages of Indramayu Regency—especially during the circumcision season—it is almost impossible not to hear the pounding rhythm of *kendang* drums. Amidst a crowd of children, a large wooden lion-shaped palanquin appears, carrying a young boy dressed as the legendary hero Gatotkaca. This is Singa Depok.
To outsiders, it is merely entertainment. To the people of Indramayu (*Wong Dermayu*), it is simultaneously a tradition, a prayer, and a community celebration.
**From Satire Against Colonialists**
Although now synonymous with Indramayu, Singa Depok actually has its roots in the *Sisingaan* art form of Subang. This art form originated as a form of satire by the local people against British colonialists.
Residents crafted lion effigies out of wood—symbolizing British power—and paraded them while dancing. It was as if to say that even a mighty force could be carried together by the people.
The tradition migrated to Indramayu, where it underwent acculturation with coastal culture and *tarling* music, eventually evolving into Singa Depok. In Indramayu, it is also known as *Singa Ungkleuk* or *Gotong Singa*.
**More Than Just an Effigy: A Blend of Three Art Forms**
1. **Visual Art:** The lion palanquin is constructed from a wooden frame and shaped to resemble a lion, a *buroq* (mythical winged creature), a three-headed dragon, or even a horse. The boy undergoing circumcision is dressed in a complete Gatotkaca costume: a *wayang*-style crown, a black beaded vest, a red sash, wings, and a *keris* (traditional dagger).
2. **Musical Art:** The accompaniment is distinctive, featuring the *kendang indung* and *kulanter* (drums), *bonang* (gong-chimes), *gong*, *kecrek* (metal clappers), and *suling* (flute)—now often supplemented by electric drums and guitars. 3. Dance and Performance: The bearers do more than just carry the structure; they perform dynamic movements—bobbing up and down and spinning—that make the lion appear lifelike. Once the procession concludes, a *debus* performance (a display of invulnerability) usually follows.
Celebrations, *Rasulan*, and Parental Prayers
In Indramayu, the *Singa Depok* almost always features in two sacred occasions:
– Circumcision: The child undergoing circumcision is paraded around the village atop the lion. This signifies an announcement to the community that the child has entered the phase of maturity.
– *Rasulan*: A tradition in which the child is guided to recite the *Shahada* (Islamic profession of faith), marking their attainment of religious puberty.
The *Singa Depok* is more than just a spectacle; it reflects the spirit of communal cooperation (*gotong royong*) among the people of Indramayu. This massive, heavy lion can only be lifted if dozens of people carry it together in perfect unison.
Indramayu, October 4, 2026
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