Wayang Golek Puppet

Three dimensional puppets are a traditional style of puppet from the Indonesian island of Java.  They are usually made from local softwood because it is easy to carve and does not get heavy to hold during performances.  The practice of making puppets was handed down through families.  A master puppet-maker would carve and paint the puppet’s head, while his wife sewed clothes and his children carved the body.  Physical traits of the puppets were used to communicate their roles in the plays.  The puppets with smaller bodies and delicate features were the virtuous characters, while the larger bodies with harsher features played the more turbulent roles.

Wayang golek were used to tell stories of Hindu epics, Javanese histories, and the Islamic Menmak cycle, which recounts the many adventures of Amir Hamzah, Muhammad’s uncle.  The dalang, or puppet master, moved the puppets and spoke their parts, often set to the music of a gamelan orchestra.  Performances took place in villages during holidays and festivals.