The Wayang Puppet Theatre

Today we are travelling from the 5 stars hotel in Spain Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa to Indonesia to find out about one of its most ancient cultural traditions: the Wayang Puppet Theatre.

The Wayang Puppet Theatre is an ancient form of performing art, which showed up in the island of Java, Indonesia. It´s famous for it’s carefully manufactured puppets and its complex musical style. It was originally represented in the royal courts and in the rural communities of Java and Bali. Nowadays it is also performed in the islands of Madura, Lombok, Sumatra and Borneo. UNESCO designated it as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on 7 November 2003.

The meaning of Wayang is shadow. There are different types of puppets, but the two big groups are: wayang golek, three-dimensional wooden puppets, and wayang kulit, or shadow puppet made of perforated, elaborately painted leather. They are different on their facial features, their articulated bodies and their costumes. Wayang Kulit is the most known and appreciated one.

The dalang is the puppeteer in the wayang performance. The puppeteers where considered as experts in the transmission of aesthetic and moral values through their art. These elaborated representations were commonly used for criticizing social and political problems. The characters of the Wayang myths come originally from Persian tales, ancient Indian epic poems and local myths. Interpretation techniques and the repertoire were transmitted orally through the puppeteers, musicians and craftsmen families.

The Wayang is not only entertainment; it is a sacred art part of religious ceremonies and important events of Javanese life.

If you would like to live a 100% Asian experience, we are waiting for you at the luxury hotel Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. Enjoy Asia in the Mediterranean!