Saturday, January 24, 2009

Wayang Golek

Wayang golek are wooden doll puppets that are operated from below by rods connected to the hands and a central control rod that runs through the body to the head. The simple construction of the puppets belies their versatility, expressiveness and aptitude for imitating human dance. Little is known for certain about the history of wayang golek, but scholars have speculated that it most likely originated in China and arrived in Java sometime in the 17th century. Some of the oldest traditions of wayang golek are from the north coast of Java in what is called the pasisir region.


Jilly said...

Beautiful puppets. Love to see them en masse like this. I remember seeing a Julie Taymar exhibit in Columbus, Ohio and she displayed some of these incredible puppets.

Megawati Tanujaya Tjhin said...

wayangnya bagus :D