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Secrets of Bali

by Jonathan Copeland

with
Ni Wayan Murni

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Wayang Golek puppets probably originated in the Tegal-Cirebon area on the north coast of Java at the end of the 16th century.

The 3-dimensional wooden rod puppets were used to present stories from the epics, the Mahabarata and the Ramayana, as well as the Islamic and Panji tales. At first the same puppets were used for all the stories.

Later a new puppet was created for the Islamic and Panji stories - called the Wayang Golek Cepak. The ones for the Mahabarata and Ramayana stories are called Wayang Golek Parwa, and are based on the older Wayang Kulit.

The Indian epic, the Mahabarata, is the tale of a dispute between the 5 Pandawa brothers and their cousins, the 99 Kurawa brothers (and one sister), which ends in a great 18 day battle, known as the Baratayuda.

The head moves. Underneath the very fine, colorful garments is the wooden rod, which is the puppet's central support.

A wayang golek performance usually accompanies important personal, social or national occasions. The puppeteer or dalang narrates the stories and performs roles of up to 30 puppet characters. Some performances start at night and last until dawn.

To order: make sure pop ups are allowed.

Wayang Golek: Minister





Material: Wood, old batik
Style: Central Java
Size: Height 41.5 cm, width 9.5 cm
Order Number: PR9

Background: Red faces indicate a rough or crude character.

Rod Puppets 1: Gambiong and Others

Rod Puppets 2: Wayang Menak

Rod Puppets 3: Old Wayang Golek

Rod Puppets 4: Wayang Panji

Rod Puppets 5: Wayang Cepak

Rod Puppets 6: Wayang Klitik