Wayang Kulit

Wayang kulit is the traditional art of Indonesia which is mainly developed in Java. Puppet comes from the word Ma Hyang means toward the almighty one,. Shadow puppets played by a puppeteer who is also the narrator's dialogue puppet characters, accompanied by gamelan music played by a group of nayaga and song sung by the singer. Puppeteer behind the puppet play screen, the screen is made ​​of white cloth, while the electric lights flashed behind him or lamp oil (blencong), so that the spectators who were on the other side of the screen can see the shadow puppet that falls into the screen. To be able to understand the story of wayang (the play), the audience must have knowledge of puppet characters whose image appears on the screen.

In general, the puppet took the story from the Mahabharata and Ramayana manuscript, but not be limited only by the grip (standard), the ki can also play the play puppeteer carangan (composition). Some of the stories taken from the Panji stories.

Puppet show has been recognized by UNESCO on November 7, 2003, as a work of astonishing cultural narratives and stories in a beautiful and valuable heritage (Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity). Shadow puppets are more popular in central and eastern Java, while the puppet show is more often played in West Java.

Shadow puppets made ​​of buffalo leather that is processed into sheets of skin, puppet apiece need about size 50 x 30 cm sheet of skin which is then carved with the equipment used is made ​​of an iron-pointed steel of good quality. Steel is made ​​in advance in various shapes and sizes, there is a sharp, flat, small, large and other forms each have different functions. But basically, to set or create different shapes carved holes are purposely made ​​to decay. Then performed the installation of body parts like hands, there are two connections on the hands, upper arms and elbows, how to connect it with a small screw made ​​of buffalo or cow horn. Handle which functions to move the arm is colored black is also made from buffalo horn material and generally golden color with gold leaf paper that is taped or it could be with dibron, painted with a powder that is melted. Puppet using prada, the result is much better, the color can last longer than a bront.