The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

"WAJANG KULIT" (FLAT FIGURE)

THE "WAJANG KULIT" ARE FLAT FIGURES THAT HAVE BEEN CUT OUT
OF PAPER AND ATTACHED TO STICKS. EACH FIGURE PORTRAYS
A CHARACTER AS THE PEOPLE PUT ON A SHOW FOR THE AUDIENCE.
THE PEOPLE PUTTING ON THE SHOW ARE HIDDEN BEHIND ANY SORT
OF MAKE-SHIFT STAGE. WHEN NIGHT COMES, A LIGHT IS PLACED
BEHIND THE FLAT FIGURES SO ONLY THE SHADOW APPEARS. THE
AUDIENCE WILL PAY FOR THE ENTERTAINERS, ANYONE WHO DOES
NOT PAY IS CHASED AWAY BEFORE AND DURING THE SHOW.

Submitter comment: THE INDONESIANS BASICALLY PUT ON THESE SHOWS FOR THE DUTCH
COLONISTS. THE DUTCH HAD ALL THE MONEY, SO JUST ABOUT
ANYTHING THE "INDOS" DID, WAS FOR CASH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Date learned: 04-00-1979 ; 00001930-1950