Archaic and colonial period

An archaic ondel-ondel during the colonial period, performed at the opening of the new wing of Hotel des Indes.

Traditionally, the figure of ondel-ondel was known as barongan, a word derived from barong, a protective spirit that can be found across the animistic Austronesian culture long before the arrival of Hinduism. The figure was performed around villages to provide protection against calamities or for warding off wandering evil spirits. It was thought as a representation of the ancestors protecting the village.^[1]

The first record of ondel-ondel is probably by British merchant William Scot who noted that een reus raksasa ("a giant Rakshasa") was one of the figures included in the procession led by Prince Jayakarta Wijayakrama to celebrate the circumcision of 10 years old Prince Abdul Mafakhir in the year 1605.^[2]

Up until the modern colonial period, ondel-ondel figure was recorded to have a gruesome facial feature such as large fangs and menacing goggle-eyes, similar to the Balinese Barong or Rangda figure. The ondel-ondel was performed on the streets and asked by-passers for opium. When opium was banned in the Dutch East Indies, the ondel-ondel would ask for cigars instead, which is done by placing a cigar on their mouth. During this period, local Betawi people still believe that ondel-ondel can protect a village against disease such as chickenpox. Ondel-ondel performance was recorded by American writer E.R. Scidmore who visited Batavia in late 19th-century who noted a street performance in the form of dances, which could be the ondel-ondel performance.^[1]

The construction of an ondel-ondel must follow a certain ritual. Before the construction of an ondel-ondel, the maker must gives offering in the form of incense, kembang tujuh rupa, and a rice porridge. The offering was intended to ensure the process of making ondel-ondel is a smooth one and to allow benevolent spirit to enter the figure.^[1]

Modern custom

Traditional male & female ondel-ondel in Wayang Museum, Jakarta

After the independence of Indonesia, the function of ondel-ondel was shifted from a protective spirit figure into an iconic figure of entertainment. Governor of Jakarta Ali Sadikin (1966-1977), in an attempt to introduce a modern Jakarta, decided to modernize the ondel-ondel by removing some of the gruesome elements and making them more friendly-looking. Around this period, ondel-ondel was made a mascot of Jakarta and were always included in celebratory events such as inauguration of new buildings, welcoming guests of honor, or attending a wedding ceremony. Ondel-ondel performance is then always accompanied with Betawi music such as tanjidor or gambang kromong.^[1]