Memoir about Barongsai

    Hi, my name is Minan, and this is my story at the vocational

school. This was my story when I was in 3rd-grade, precisely in 2017-
2018, which was the time for 3rd-grade students to have many big
projects waiting. One of them is art performances in Seni
Budaya lessons. At that time, we were required to perform art or
traditional dance that later be shown to all the students in the school,
that time my department, namely multimedia, got the Barongsai /
Liong and Rampak Kendang, with full of confidence, I chose to play
the Barongsai because it looked exciting and challenging.

         Shortly the practice began immediately. For us who

chose Barongsai and Liong, we practiced at the famous Monastery in
Cirebon, namely Vihara Dewi Welas Asih. On the first came there, my
friends and I were greeted very well by the trainers named Om Iyan and
Uncle Sandi. At the first meeting, My friends and I discussed the training
contract. We discussed the training schedule that must be accelerated
because soon the trainers also their team will be competing in the
international championship in China. Therefore, we must start the
training process immediately to achieve the best result, and the
performances can meet expectations.
         The first exercise finally begins. In the beginning, the trainer told
us to don't forget to warm-up. First, the purpose of this warm-up is to
avoid unwanted injuries. I remember the most was after warming up, we
were ordered to line up to try Stance position, but it wasn't as easy as I
imagined. It was very tiring, especially for me, who rarely got exercise.
After learned the Stance position, the trainer instructed us to look for a
partner, Especially for Barongsai Player. For the Barongsai itself, we were
divided into four teams consisting of 8 people. Then for the Liong, we
were split into two groups comprised of ten males and ten females, a
musical instrument with five players. The training continued; I was
trained for the basics of playing Barongsai but also still trying to do
Stance position. As a front player, my body must be tied with a fabric
rope for the back player to hold my body.
         The training ended; I felt exhausted from the training that day,
which made me even think about whether I should continue this or no.
Shortly, as the Barongsai team, we continue to practice how to walk, and
yeah, that time, I use a stick as a replacement for the head of the
Barongsai because of it. Besides being taught how to walk, I also taught
how to jump as a front player. On the first attempt, it was challenging
until an accident happened, I felt down, and I felt the pain to stand up.
After that, I stopped for a while to do a jump movement because of my
foot's condition, which wasn't strong enough. At the same time, I couldn't
master the technique to jump over the back player's heads.
         Day by day has passed, and finally, we talked about how we will
bring the story to the audience at school performances later. Before the
D-day of the event, we always tried our best because we don't want to
disappoint people who expect more about our appearance.
         The moment awaited has arrived. Finally, it was our time to
present our performance at that event. We got lots of cheers from the
audience, and they were very enthusiastic to see us, especially when we
combined modern songs with the Barongsai. After completing the
performance, we also withdrew red packets or angpao as a characteristic
or to feed The Barongsai with money, and then we got a lot of money.
Our performance didn't stop there. The days after the performance took
place, we still got the trust to appear in various places because that time
coincided with Chinese New Year.
         I realized that even though at first, I felt pessimistic, but if I tried
my best, then whatever it was, I would be able to get maximum results.
That is all the experiences that I can convey, and this has unforgettable
memories.

Muhamad Lathoiful Minan.

4B Class - 1192040063