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Wayang is a generic term denoting traditional theatre in Indonesia. Wayang Klitik are flat wooden shadow puppets that are operated from below by rods connected to the hands and a central rod that connects to the body. Today, Wayang Klitik is mainly associated with Sundanese culture of West Java. Little is known for certain about the history of wayang Klitik, but scholars have speculated that it most likely originated in China and arrived in Java sometime in the 17th century. Wayang klitik puppets were used alongside the more widely known but less durable Wayang Kilit or Leather shadow puppet. In the 18th century the tradition moved into the mountainous region of West Java where it eventually was used to tell the epic hindu stories of the Ramayana and the Mahabarata. The main characters and places from Ramayana and Mahabharata were transposed from India to Java and given Sundanese names and characteristics. The basic story remains the same however; Rama's beautiful wife Shinta ( Sita) is kidnapped by the demon king Rawana and taken to his palace on the isle of Lanka. Rama and his brother Laksman seek the help of Hamuman , king of the monkeys, and his monkey army. Together they kill Rawana and rescue Shinta. The main characters of the play are Rama, Shinta, Laksman, Hanuman and Rawana. Our Wayang Golek puppets are the loving couple Rama and Shinta who are reveered as the perfect couple, Rama risked his life to rescue Shinta and Shinta would rather die than be unfaithful to her husband. Our Wayang Klitik Puppets come as a pair they measure 32 cm high ( approx), they are hand carved and hand painted and are given a coat of protective varnish which has been given a pleasant patina effect. Each one is different and will probably be slightly different from the couple pictured. They are made for us by a family of traditional puppet makers living and working in Western Java.
