Daniele Zappatore

Nggayuh Indhang is a collaborative ethnographic documentary that explores the ébég hobby-horse trance dance of Banyumas, Central Java. Grounded in extensive field research, the project utilizes a participatory approach to both research and filmmaking, involving local practitioners as active partners in shaping the film’s narrative and content. The documentary centers on the perspective of Rachmat Basuki, an 85-year-old Muslim teacher and renowned expert in the Javanese kéjawen spiritual tradition from Pagelarang Village. Through his autobiographical narration, the film documents an ébég performance and the preparations leading up to it, providing a detailed look at the ritualistic, socio-cultural, and musical-choreutic elements of this tradition. The film was edited and post-produced at the DZ Production studio in Rome, maintaining a continuous dialogue with collaborators in Java to ensure a negotiated representation that respects their cultural perspectives. To complement the documentary, a multimedia compendium was produced, featuring a film guide booklet, interviews, and analytical audiovisual content designed to provide deeper context for the topics explored. The project aims to foster a broader understanding of this cultural tradition while promoting collaborative research and filmmaking as a means to produce ethically shared knowledge and provide direct financial benefits to the local participants.