Warak ngendog (egg laying bird) is a mythical creature resembling a rhinoceros carrying eggs on its back. This creature, celebrated during the Dugderan Festival held annually on September 23 a few days before the holiday of

Ramadan Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (''Fasting in Islam, sawm''), communal prayer (salah), reflection, and community. It is also the month in which the Quran is believed ...

, is believed to represent three different ethnic groups in Semarang: Javanese, Chinese and Arabian. Its head is like a dragon (Chinese), its body is the combination of

buraq The Buraq ( "lightning") is a supernatural equine-esque creature in Islamic tradition that served as the mount of the Islamic prophet Muhammad during his Isra and Mi'raj journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and up through the heavens and back by ...

(a special animal resembling the winged horse with a human head believed to take

Muhammad Muhammad (8 June 632 CE) was an Arab religious and political leader and the founder of Islam. Muhammad in Islam, According to Islam, he was a prophet who was divinely inspired to preach and confirm the tawhid, monotheistic teachings of A ...

to Sidratul Muntaha; Arab) and goat (Javanese). Warak Ngendog is a children's toy that was once very popular in the city of Semarang and its surroundings, and is usually sold during the Dugderan Festival, a folk festival in Semarang held to welcome the coming of Ramadan. The Dugderan celebration itself is a public market that is held at the Johar Market every Sya'ban month in the Islamic calendar. This celebration is held once a year to welcome the arrival of the Holy Month of Ramadan. The Dugderan celebration will be filled with people's market activities in the heart of Semarang City, precisely in Johar Market. Dugderan usually lasts for a week before entering the month of Ramadan. The highlight of Dugderan itself is the street festival where Warak Ngendog is paraded along the Semarang city area. The day before Ramadan arrives, the top of the Dugderan Festival will be held. There will be a carnival which will be attended by red and white troops, drumband, warak ngendhog, residents who wear traditional clothes, cannons, and various other arts from Semarang. The creature is described to be part giraffe, part lion, part

Chinese dragon The Chinese dragon or loong is a legendary creature in Chinese mythology, Chinese folklore, and Chinese culture generally. Chinese dragons have many animal-like forms, such as Bixi (mythology), turtles and Chiwen, fish, but are most commonly ...

, part horse, and part bird and is made into popular toys for the children to play with during the festival.

References

Indonesia – Ultimate in Diversity NOTE: Scroll down to "Dugderan Warak Ngendog Festival"Sejarah Warak Ngendog Kota Semarang
{{Mythology of Indonesia Legendary birds Asian mythology Javanese mythology Javanese folklore Islam in Indonesia Indonesian legendary creatures