Wayang (shadow puppets)is an ancient form of story telling and often part of ritual ceremony. Wayang has been a part of Indonesian culture going back as far as 1500 B.C. There are many kinds of wayang found throughout the Indonesian Archipelago. Each island will have its own special form of Wayang.

In Bali, the shadow puppets are generally made from cow hide, but they are can also be made from coconut skin or wood. There is also a kind of living wayang performance where people perform as puppets, Wayang Wong.

But, generally Wayang refers to shadow puppet performances played by a “dalang” (master of the puppets). Stories are based on the great epics from India, such as Mahabharata and Ramayana. Sometimes they performances depict local folktales.

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