Examples of Acculturation
Singo Barong Train (Cirebon)
The Singa Barong train, made in 1549, is a reflection of Cirebon's friendship with other nations. The face of this carriage is the embodiment of three animals combined into one, an elephant with its trunk, crowned with a dragon and a burak. The elephant trunk is a friendship with Hindu India, the head of a dragon symbolizes friendship with a Buddhist China, and a burak body complete with wings, symbolizes friendship with a Muslim Egypt.
This train was made by a train architect Panembahan Losari and the sculptor Ki Notoguna from Kaliwulu. The sculpture on the train is indeed detailed and complicated. Characterizing the distinctive culture of the three friendly countries, the carving of wadasan and megamendung characterizes Cirebon, the carved colors of red and green that are typical of China. In the carriage, three cultures (Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam) are depicted as one in the trident in the elephant's trunk.
Keraton Kasepuhan Cirebon
The Kasepuhan Palace and architecture buildings depict various influences, ranging from European, Chinese, Arabic, as well as pre-existing local cultures, namely Hinduism and Javanese. All elements or cultural elements above merge at the Kasepuhan Palace building. European influences appear on Greek-style poles.
Other European-style architecture is in the form of a semicircular doorway arch that is found in the Lawang Sanga building (door nine). Another European style influence is pilasters on the walls of buildings, which make the walls more attractive and not flat. The European building style is also clearly seen in the shape of the doors and windows in the Pringgondani ward building, width and height, and the use of jalousie as air ventilation.
Prabayasa Ward serves as a place to receive great guests. The building is supported by wooden pillars. The pillars were decorated with tumpal motifs originating from Java. A clear influence of Hindu-Javanese architecture is the Siti Hinggil building, which is located at the very front of the palace complex. The entire building is made of brick construction as is usual in Hindu temple buildings.
The impression of a Hindu-style building looks strong especially at the entrance to the complex, which is a gate of the same size or symmetrical between the left and right sides as if it is split. On the left and right walls of the Great ward are decorated with small porcelain patches from the Netherlands measuring 110 x 10 cm in blue (blauwe delft) and brownish red.
In the middle is given a blue Chinese porcelain plate. The painting on the plate depicts Chinese painting with stratified perspective techniques. Overall, the palace's colors are dominated by green which is identical to the Islamic symbol. The gold color used in some ornaments symbolizes luxury and grandeur and the red color symbolizes life or heaven. The Kasepuhan Palace building implies a blend of functional and symbolic aspects as well as local and external culture. Reflecting the diversity of styles and cultural riches of the world's nations.