WAYANG KULIT: The Indonesian Shadow Puppet

Wayang kulit performance in Indonesia is among the oldest and greatest story telling traditions in the world. On 7 November 2003 UNESCO has made Wayang Kulit as a "Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Wayang is usually used as a term to refer to puppet theater in Indonesia. This performing art form is very popular in Java and Bali. There are three most popular wayang:

1. Wayang Kulit (Shadow Puppet)
2. Wayang Golek (Wooden Puppet)
   
3. Wayang Orang/Wong (People Puppet)

This posting discusses wayang kulit. The word wayang literally means "shadow", and kulit means "leather". The two dimensional flat puppets are made from buffalo hide carefully chiseled, elaborately painted, and supported by carefully shaped buffalo horn handles with control rods.

The practice of casting shadows to the wall using the coconut oil lamps is believed to have started as a ceremony to call departed spirits before Hinduism came to Indonesia. 

Then it was adapted as a tool for performance in the 9th and 10th century when Indonesian Hindu communities used it to present the epic stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Later, in the middle ages, wayang kulit was used to educate audiences on Islamic themes. New stories and more refined forms were developed form time to time.

Wayang performance is usually regarded as a religious ritual. Anyone at a wayang performance is believed to be safe from evil spirits which may plague humans.

Performances last all night, beginning in the evening and lasting until dawn, about 7-9 hours. They are usually accompanied by a gamelan orchestra - a traditional Indonesian musical ensemble that includes a variety of instruments such as gongs, drums, metallaphones, xylophones, stringed instruments, and vocalists. 

The "dalang", the conductor of all elements in a wayang performance, is usually believed to possess supernatural qualities because of his role as a mediator between people, Gods and spirits. During the performance, the dalang has to sit cross-legged for the entire performance without breaks. He or she constantly manipulates the puppets, sings, and conducts the gamelan orchestra. A dalang is a great storyteller, an entertainer, and a spiritual leader.

Performances are usually based on classical literature such as Hindu epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata with some adaptations to fit the contemporary issues. 

Let's watch some Wayang Kulit videos.

A classic wayang performance

Wayang Rock Video - so cool!

Indonesian Masks

Masks have been part if the cultural icons in hundreds of cultures in Indonesia since thousands of years ago.

Traditionally they were used as tools to connect with spirits and ancestors. Later the social development, especially the religious influences (Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity) shape how masks are used in different cultures.

There are different forms of masks in various trines in Indonesia. Each has unique significance based in the local socio-historical contexts. For instance, in Java the shapes of eyes, nose, mouth, and the basic colors of the masks may carry different meanings; red for bravery, white shows sacredness or purity, green for fertility or everlasting life, while other colors are difficult to generalize.

Masks serve the spiritual, religious, educational, and entertainment functions. Some cultures still believe that masks have some supernatural/magical power that can protect them from evil spirits. In more modern

 families, masks have decorative purposes, or signify the cultural affiliation of the families.

Masks are used very often in dances. Mask dances are very popular in Java and Bali. It is said that a mask dancer has to marry his or her character. There is usually a special ritual before the mask is worn. In fact, the dancer's soul must be unified with the masks. 

In Bali, a mask dancer has a very high respectable status in the society. 

He or she is the teacher (sometimes is regarded as the divine educator), philosopher, exorcist, as well as an entertainer. Thus, to be a good mask dancer in Bali, one has to master philosophy and social life besides knowing how to sing, dance, and narrate in multiple voices.

Let's watch some videos.

A Javanese Twin Mask Dance Video (Click)

A Balinese Topeng (Mask) Dance (Click)