SHADOW PUPPETS

The Wayang Kulit is a part of Javanese culture. It covers all cultural aspects and it may be considered as a kind of universal art. The art of carving, visual art, the art of dancing, literature and drama are all gathered in a single wayang kulit performance. Besides, one should not forget that the stories which are played, have a great educational value.

The early development of Wayang Kulit go back to 1587, which was the period of the Mataram empire. Before that time the shapes an quality of the puppets were very simple and plain. Since then a great deal of development has taken place and it is still going on, especially  on the island of Java.

Though new kinds of performances such as cinemas and stage shows find more and more acceptance, the Wayang Kulit retains its popularity, especially among the Javanese.

In rapturous delight they will watch the graceful movements of the leather puppets when they appear upon the screen, playing their parts as true-born actor. For many hours they will listen to the story of the wayang showman, as he dwells upon the good and bad sides from human nature, picturing at the same time the numerous difficulties we encounter during our lives in this world of joy and sorrow. The performer present not only those problems but also points out in the minutes detail how to solve them in the best possible way. Young and old, rich and poor, they all get what they want. Boys and girls can admire the heroes, who perform brave deeds in the firm belief that they fight on the the side of the good, for the well-being of all mankind. Older people who, no less than the young folk, take a keen interest in the play, can compare their way of thinking with wise words flowing from the lips of the wayang conductor in his capacity of spokesman for truth. 

Perhaps you can understand now why the wayang plays such an important part, in the inner life of the average Javanese. He likes those wonderful stories because they give him something to think about, which proves to be of much value to him and which sets his conscience at rest. He loves them because they bring him joy and happiness. To him they mean a great deal, in fact he regards them as sparks of light, guiding his steps along the perilous path of life, so what, when his time comes, he can safely reach the abode of the blessed, where he will enjoy peace and happiness.