In the midst of various news related to efforts to register the Reog Ponorogo art at UNESCO, it is again experiencing problems. Where the use of peacock feathers and tiger skin in the Reog art was questioned by the United Nations agency in the fields of education, science and culture.
According to the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, there are several requirements from UNESCO that must be met in an effort to register the Reog Ponorogo arts. One of them is the use of peacock feathers and tiger skins, both of which are classified as rare and protected animals.
“The use of peacock feathers and tiger skin. These 2 things are a hindrance,” said Muhadjir Effendy in his press release.
The use of peacock feathers and tiger skin in the Reog Ponorogo art raises complex conversations.
Apart from all that, it turns out that in Ponorogo there is a young man who is currently doing a breeding for peacocks, named Rian Priya Handoko.
The young man from Galak Village, Slahung District, Ponorogo. He deliberately keeps peacocks because he really loves animals, especially birds.
“I am very happy and have a hobby of keeping birds. If the peacock is rare, it is also good, especially when the feathers are fluffy,” said Rian.
Currently, Rian has managed to keep three pairs of peacocks at his home. He has good intentions to preserve this rare bird and even plans to do further breeding.
Apart from being a hobby, Rian also wants to use peacock feathers that fall out as raw materials for reog crafts.
“For me actually, the more people who do captivity, the happier. Besides that, later the hair that falls out can be used for reog crafts,” he explained.
Besides that, according to Rian, apart from protecting it from extinction, he also wants to make the peacock captivity at his home an educational tour.
“In the future I also want to develop it as an educational tourist spot for children. So they can still see peacocks directly, “he concluded.
The use of peacock feathers in Reog also raises various responses. Some argue that using protected animal hair is detrimental to conservation efforts. Although in fact peacock feathers are not necessarily plucked by force, but only picking up the feathers that fall out.
Various efforts have been made by the local government and the community to gain recognition that Reog art originates from and belongs to the people of Ponorogo. As a result, we are no longer worried about claims from other countries. Adv/Ptr
