The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

"TOPENG MONJET" (MADE UP LIKE A CLOWN MONKEY)

A NATIVE WOULD GO FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE AND ASK THE PEOPLE
IF HE COULD COME IN. THE VENDER WOULD BE CARRYING TWO MONKEYS
IN A CAGE. THE MONKEYS WOULD BE MADE UP LIKE A MAN
AND HIS WIFE. THE VENDER WOULD THEN HAVE THE MONKEYS DO
TRICKS, LIKE A SMALL CIRCUS. THE MONKEYS, FOR EXAMPLE,
WOULD SERVE COFFEE, SIT ON CHAIRS, OR ANY NUMBER OF
THINGS. AFTERWARD, THE PEOPLE WOULD HAVE TO GIVE HIM
SOME SORT OF FEE.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS AN INDONESIAN ENTERTAINMENT WITNESSED ABOUT 1930-1940.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

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