Wayang means “shadow or imagination” literally in Javanese and it also connotes "spirit". Kulit means “skin” and it refers to the medium of the puppet, which is made with the thin perforated leather made from buffalo’s skin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

Wayang Kulit, regarded as one of the most antique continuous traditions all over the world and it was nominated by UNESCO from Indonesia as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on November 7, 2003.

​

Wayang Kulit indicates Indonesian shadow puppet theater in Indonesia and it is extremely prevalent in Java and Bali. Wayang Kulit was already created in the East Javanese kingdoms one thousand years ago and is regarded as a significance of Javanese culture.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Dalang (puppeteer master) is the god in the performance. Dalang vivifies the thin puppet by moving the joint-connected hands manipulated through rods handle made of carved buffalo’s horn.  When audiences are sitting in the theater, Dalang will hold up behind a piece of white cloth, with an electric bulb or an oil lamp as the light source, and shadows are manipulated to cast on the screen. Then, Dalang modifies his voice to create suspense thus heightening the drama. Unchangeably, the play climaxes with the triumph of good over evil.

 

 

 The performances of shadow puppet theater always needs accompanied music, which is called gamelan in Java and gender wayang in Bali. The length of the original performance might last all night long, up to six hours or until dawn sometimes. The complete troupes of Wayang Kulit involve in dalang (puppet master), nayaga (gamelan players), and sinden (female choral singer). 

​

Wayang Kulit scripts are always based on romantic tales, particularly adapted the classic Indian epics such as "The Mahabarata" and "The Ramayana" for the plays . However, Some of the plays are  based on local happenings (current issues) or other local secular stories. The script of performance is decided by  the conductor or "Tok Dalang". 

 

​

​

​