Reog is derived from Ponorogo, Indonesia East Java. But in jember, reog is also feeling like at home, especially in the southern region. in fact in Jember reog is not only played by those who are from or having a blood ties with the citizens of ponorogo.
How come reog is also found in jember ?? All were started from the colonial government's effort to bring the labors from mataraman plantations of the region to work in Jember. Dutch made jember become a regional supplier of plantation crops, ranging from tobacco to sugar. Separated from their hometown, the labors formed the reog arts groups as a part of strengthening self - identity.
The are two groups of the oldest reog in jember, namely in the village helter ambulu district and village kesilir wuluhan. they've been around since the 1950s. in fact, some people say, since the 1920's. Curently, there are 23 groups reog in jember, like kalisanen, sidodadi, helter, drupal, wuluhan, until the district kencong.
they manage this group with a self help and independence. it is difficult for having a fully expect from region government. fortunately there is jember university to support the development of reog. here, the community was born from student namely sardulo anorogo, which means humble tiger. rectorate also support the reog activities, by making the colossal stage that showing every year in the moment of celebration the university anniversary.
During this time, there is a problem about regeneration reog group who are far away from ponorogo. The most difficulties regeneration is in position of pembarong and pengrawit, especially for the position of trutempeters and drummers.
the presence of sardulo anorogo in jember make reog more diverse spread of enthusiasts, and is easier for making regeneration. the members of the community are coming from lumajang, gresik, tulungagung, jember, probolinggo and even from bali.
if calculated since 1993 untiil today, the community already has a thousand members. Now, some of them have their own reog group or give training for school in Ngawi, Madiun, or Ponorogo itself. these diasporas capabilities that making the reog always survive. In therms of grip, sardulo anorogo is also able to contribute its own style. Sardulo Anorogo has adapted art movements of other traditions, such as banyuwangi style gamelang jaranan or the addition of attraction models. the main grip is still reog ponorogo, but there is a color of pandalungan locality.
when malaysia has claimed this art, the players, actually, got up and excited more than usual. they want to show, that reog belongs to INDONESIA.