The Patronage in Javanese Dance Performance Culture in Ronggeng Dukuh Paruk by Ahmad Tohari

Abstract

Patron-klien relationships exist in many sectors of society. However, few studies have investigated their role in performative Javanese dance culture. This study aims to explore the representation of a patron-client relationship in the context of traditional Javanese dance in a novel, Ronggeng Dukuh Paruk, by Ahmad Tohari. Through literary analysis of narratives and dialogues, it elucidates the structure of the patron-client relationship, including the roles of the patron and the services the client provides. This analysis reveals that the patron-client relationship in the ronggeng tradition is shaped by a cultural context in which no party may unilaterally start a ronggeng group until an indang spirit reincarnates as a human girl. A dukun ronggeng may then play the role of patron, nurturing the gifted girl and raising her to be a ronggeng. He becomes, in effect, her foster parent and takes care of all her needs, including financing her beautification and dance education. He also takes on the responsibility of preparing all rituals and ceremonies required to legitimize a ronggeng. The ronggeng, in turn, must repay him for all these expenses, with interest, by selling her virginity and sexual services to whomever can pay the highest price, or by performing her ronggeng dance and passing all the tips she collects to the dukun. Clearly, the dukun functions as a classic patron, facilitating a young girl to become a ronggeng, and she, in turn, functions as a client, commodifying herself in order to repay and serve her patron.