WAYANG KULIT/Shadow Puppetry: Traditional Indonesian Art That Brings Myths and Legends to Life

Indonesia is a country rich in unique culture and traditional arts, one of which is the performing art of shadow puppetry. Shadow puppetry is a form of traditional shadow theater that has become one of Indonesia’s most famous cultural heritages.
Shadow puppetry has a long history in Indonesia, with roots that go back thousands of years. While there are various theories about its origins, many agree that shadow puppetry first appeared on the islands of Java and Bali. Wayang comes from the Javanese word meaning “shadow” or “image,” and kulit refers to the leather material used to create the figures in the performance.