WAYANG KULIT, The Indonesian Shadow Puppets - Central Java

The shadow puppet theater is spread in several countries around the world. But certainly Indonesia is a place where the tradition of this form of performances is still the most popular and lively particularly in the islands of Bali and definitively in the central region of Java. Wayang Kulit in Central Java is probably one of the oldest continuous traditions of storytelling in the world, and certainly among the most highly developed. The wayang is a flat or round puppets used for shows in Java.The wayang kulit is the flat one and it is made with buffalo leather. They are manipulated behind a white screen with a back light, so the attendance can see them as shadow puppets. A wayang performance is also a great place to listen to a Gamalan orchestra which always comes along with the play. Wayang is well integrated in Javanese society, and it is considered to be a highlight of Javanese culture. Wayang Kulit in an ancient form of performing art and was already established in the East Javanese kingdoms one thousand years ago. The video of Wayang Kulit :