This Saturday, 17th May, 2008, Tumpek Wayang, one of my favorite Agama Hindu Bali Holydays honors, respects and celebrates Wayang Kulit shadow play. On this day the Dalang, (shadow artists) display their Wayang (shadow characters) and place offerings around the characters, Gamelan instruments, and other objects (the screen, lamp, etc) used in shadow performances.

About 15 hours after this ritual occurs on Bali, especially in the Banjar Babakan community of Sukawati, it happens again in a tiny section of California, in the Banjar Mission Hills community of Los Angeles, where devoted students of Wayang and Gamelan reside. Since we are unable to find flowers like cempaka or ylang2, or snacks like jajan kampung, we must substitute. Desa, kala, patra – a teacher once told me – do what you can depending on where you are, when it is, and what you can obtain, something like – it’s the thought that counts!

So in Banjar Mission Hills the Wayang will be displayed. Carnations, roses, grapes, strawberries, bananas, cookies (like Oreo’s or Mint Milano’s), sweets (like Hershey Kisses or miniatures), roasted chicken, flowers, water and incense will scent the air and be offered to the Wayang Parwa who have come to Amerika!

With that I wish all of you in Banjar2 around the world – Happy Tumpek Wayang!!! Now I have to go shopping and get ready for Saturday…

Wayan maRiaWati
anak buah I Wayan Loceng, I Wayan Nartha, I Wayan Sarga
Banjar Babakan, Sukawati, Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia

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