The Story Of Loro Blonyo – Javanese Traditional Statue

Loro Blonyo is a miniature of traditional Javanese bridegroom.The statue is a symbol of the God and Goddess of fertility in Javanese culture: Devi (Goddess) Cri and God Sadono.Java is an island, part of the Indonesian archipelago whose society is very rich in customs and traditions.
Loro Blonyo is the Javanese words of “two become one”.Devi Cri and God Sadono are very much worshipped by Javanese rural community especially by farmers.Traditional Javanese farmers feel very much attached to Devi Cri, as they called her “mother Cri”.The farmers believe that their crop is the gift of kindness from the Devi.


Traditional Loro Blonyo


Traditionally, a farmer will dedicate a room in his home to house the statue.

The room must be equipped with certain furnitures and ornaments arranged in certain order.There must be a wooden bed fully ornamented with crafty design, which is located in the centre of the room and a pot full of water which must be placed in front of the bed along with a stack of paddy.The statue will be placed beside the paddy.For traditional Javanese society, this requirement is quite expensive.Only rich farmers can keep Loro Blonyo statue in their houses.The richer the farmer, the grandeur will the statue, the ornaments and the furniture in the room be.Loro Blonyo becomes a sort of a wealth symbol for its owner.The farmers believe that by keeping the statue in their houses, they will have good luck in their farming activity and that the Devi will bless them with many children.Traditional Loro Blonyo is represented by man and woman dressed in traditional Javanese outfit, with traditional hairdo and traditional accessories.They will stand or sit in a very formal manner.


Modern Loro Blonyo


Almost all Javanese farmers these days, no longer follow the sacred philosophy of Loro Blonyo.The penetration of Islamic culture as well as other religions such as Christianity had lead to the extinction of this tradition.Aalthough the statue can still frequently be seen in many traditional Javanese wedding ceremony as a symbol of union between man and woman, many people, especially the younger generations do not even know what Loro Blonyo is.It has no longer regarded as the patron of the farmers.Many families still keep the statue inside their house, but they are now treated as merely decoration of the house.The statue is no longer has its sacred room, instead it is placed in the living room, or any other room, together with any other decorations of the house.The statue is quite popular nowadays as souvenir amongst both domestic and overseas tourist who come to Central Java.


The appearance of modern day’s Loro Blonyo had also greatly changed.They no longer stand or sit in a formal manner only.They now have more cheerful and gay appearance.Their outfits, which are still traditional, are now full of modern touch here and there.  Their hair style is also more modern.Some statues even have completely modern hairdo and accessories.Devi Cri is often manifested as sexy woman just like today’s model with appealing smile and stylist apparel.The appearance of the Devi had definitely followed the modern day’s definition of beauty.
 

Article Written by Yovita Siswati


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