Monkey which become the main character in this attraction has been trained prior to the attractions. This training may take 6 to 8 months depending on the level of intelligence of the monkey. The characteristics of this monkey is having a small body size with a gray color to the fur and long tail. Each attractions are always accompanied by gamelan and drums from his keeper. Quite often other animals too, complete this attraction such as snakes and dogs.
Monkey mask is a traditional art that has been since first known in Indonesia, especially in Central Java and West Java. Performing monkey mask can also be found in other Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan and Korea. This type of art involves a handler who has provided training on the monkey to perform various activities mimic human behavior. Monkeys are used usually is Capucinus Cebus species. This species was chosen because perangainya a less virulent and more easily trained to perform. Called game monkey mask because when it is attraction, the monkey using masks, helmets and tiny reog appropriate role to be played.
Actors monkey mask art in general walk around for days from one place another place in areas heavily populated residential area. Diperdendangkan musical instruments to attract the attention of children to be present to witness and give money perfunctory. Viewers of this monkey mask most of the children. Therefore the arrival of a monkey mask troupe is always welcomed by the children. The excitement of these children become sustenance for the entourage monkey mask. Saweran money from the citizens is the source of their livelihood support his family.
The more rapid modernization and sophistication of current developments have made the classic traditional game entertainment in the era of the 80s is getting drowned are everlasting. Modernity makes traditional entertainment squashed by the growing sophistication of the technology game. Community children today is more fond of game play station or any of various games that Time Zone suguhkan attraction rather than watching a monkey mask. The digital age makes a lot of things have evolved with the times. Era game with a remote control car is no longer a rare thing than watching a monkey mask attractions.
Technology and the evolution of time have shifted the existence of this monkey mask in the fall. The more the lack of interest of children to see the attraction monkey masks, the making of this traditional attractions excluded. In the era of the 80s are very popular attractions and can be played many times in one day, but at the millennium era, today even many children who do not know what the attraction of monkey mask. They just heard through the story of the game monkey mask from his parents only.
Income monkey mask the handler was not stabilized in a day. Rates for all performances is Rp. 5,000 to Rp. 15,000. Few lovers of the animals had protested against this attraction, because they have exploited the monkey and separate them by habitat. One thing that controversial among traditional attractions of cultural heritage and protection of animals by animal lovers. But behind these controversial, for the few attractions monkey masks are childhood memories that have never forgotten from memory.