Dancing Horses of Madura: Sumenep to Host 2025 Jaran Serek Festival

TheIndonesia.co - The regency of Sumenep in East Java is preparing to once again showcase one of its most unique cultural treasures with the return of the Jaran Serek Festival in 2025. This extraordinary event features elaborately adorned horses that appear to "dance" to the rhythm of traditional saronen music — a vibrant, high-pitched ensemble that is native to the Madura region.

According to Antara News Agency, the annual festival, organized by the local government, is more than just a spectacle. It is part of an ongoing cultural preservation effort aimed at keeping the legacy of jaran serek alive for future generations.

“This cultural heritage, jaran serek, is something we must preserve so it remains a living tradition — one that continues to be passed down and celebrated by younger generations,” said Sumenep Regent Achmad Fauzi Wongsojudo, in a press event this week.

Unlike typical equestrian displays, jaran serek is a product of both skilled animal training and deep cultural artistry. The horses are taught, over time, to move their legs in sync with the beat of saronen music. Their movements resemble dancing — graceful, expressive, and always met with enthusiastic applause from festivalgoers. Each horse is also dressed in decorative costumes and traditional ornaments, enhancing the festive and ceremonial nature of the performance.

“Raising and training a jaran serek is no small task,” Fauzi added. “It demands time, care, patience, and financial resources. We deeply appreciate the commitment of the local people who continue to nurture this art form, often within their own families and communities.”

The 2025 festival will be one of the largest to date, featuring 75 horses and dozens of saronen music groups. The main procession route will run from Labang Mesem in front of the Pendopo Agung (Great Pavilion) of Sumenep, extending to Giling Bangkal Field — a distance of approximately one kilometer. Along the route, performers, musicians, and horses will come together to create a spectacle of rhythm, color, and heritage that captures the essence of Madurese identity.

According to Mohammad Iksan, Head of Sumenep’s Culture, Youth, Sports, and Tourism Department (Disbudporapar), the festival is also a platform for cultural education.

“This is a chance to show the richness of our local arts, not only to residents and school children, but also to visitors from other parts of Indonesia and abroad. Through events like this, we hope to inspire pride in our culture,” said Mohammad Iksan.

For travellers and cultural enthusiasts interested in experiencing jaran serek firsthand, getting to Madura is surprisingly easy. Madura is an island located just off the northeastern coast of Java, and it is directly connected to Surabaya — the capital city of East Java — by the Suramadu Bridge. The bridge, which stretches over the Madura Strait, is the longest in Indonesia and allows for a scenic 15- to 30-minute drive from city to island.

Once on the island, visitors will find Sumenep on Madura’s eastern tip, known for its quiet charm, historic buildings, and deep-rooted traditions. With its rich blend of art, spirituality, and performance, the Jaran Serek Festival is not only an attraction — it is a living symbol of the community’s soul.

Whether you are a cultural traveller, a lover of traditional music, or simply curious about Indonesia’s lesser-known festivals, the Jaran Serek Festival promises a moving, memorable experience that connects past and present through the beat of the drum and the dance of the horse.