Dhalang topeng
The narrator of the masked theatre, who speaks the dialogue for the masked dancers, cues the ensemble, and holds the shape of the whole night.
Social Structure
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Culture-specific expressions
Terms, definitions, context, variants, usage examples, and references from diverse East Javanese cultural communities.
Gerong
The male chorus of karawitan, singing in unison in fixed passages, in contrast to the free line of the solo singer.
Social Structure
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Niyaga
A gamelan player. The role carries an etiquette of its own: how to sit, how to enter a piece, and when not to play.
Social Structure
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Pengrawit
A gamelan musician, particularly a practised one. The word is preferred in teaching contexts, where it carries a sense of craft.
Social Structure
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Sindhen
The solo female singer of karawitan, who sings elaborate melodic lines against the ensemble rather than with it.
Social Structure
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Tanean Lanjhang
A Madurese extended-family settlement pattern in which houses are arranged lengthwise around a shared courtyard.
Social StructureSpace & Architecture
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