Dengklung is a traditional Javanese art with Islamic nuances. This art is also known as Dengklung Al-Kafi Bandar Village. This is because Dengklung itself grew and was developed in Bandar Village, Batang, by Kafi A Kadir. Apart from being the leader of this art, Kafi A Kadir also participates in training the performers of the arts. In the past, dengklung was always synonymous with men. But in Bandar Village, the culprits are women.
This art is a blend of Javanese music with Middle Eastern rhythms. With Javanese musical instruments in the form of drums, Middle Eastern characteristics in the form of tambourines, and poetry in Arabic which contains praise and the life story of Rasulullah SAW taken from the book Al-Berzanzi. One of the poems is entitled I’tiraf. This verse explains that Allah is Forgiving. Humans believe that God will forgive the sins that His people have committed if they repent and confess all the sins they have committed.
As an art with Islamic nuances, the dance in dengklung is not spared from this. The dance movements in dengklung describe the teachings in Islam. For example, the dance moves in the motion of the “simpuh” which reflects the intention before doing prayer has the meaning of a human being’s humility before Allah. The clothing worn in this art also reflects the obligation of a Muslim to cover the genitals, which has the meaning of purity, peace, serenity and happiness.
Dengklung is usually performed in various events. Starting from celebrations, recitation activities, circumcisions, and so on.
