‘Wayang’ is a Javanese word for shadow and ‘wayang’ has played a major role in the indigenous story telling traditions of the Indonesian archipelago for centuries. The first recorded mention of this word is in a 10th century inscription. Although there are various forms of ‘wayang’ the most popular form involves holding flat cutouts on rods between a source of light and a translucent screen and making magic with the puppets by moving them and the light in intricate ways. Wayang Kulit involves flat shadow puppets made from cow hide and it originated in Java and Bali. It is the most famous form of storytelling in the Indonesian puppet theater. Wayang Wong on the other hand is a type of Javanese drama performed by people while Wayang Gedog features performers in masks, Wayang Golek uses robust wooden puppets on rods that are operated by puppet masters from below the screen.

Wayang Klitic is similar to Wayang Kulik but features wooden shadow puppets, Wayang Sadat is used to teach Islam and Wayang Wahu has been used to teach the catholic faith in a form acceptable to the natives. These dramatic traditions of the Indonesian archipelago now have a whole museum devoted to them in West Jakarta. This puppet museum’s collection includes artifacts from the various types of wayangs and range from the flat leather and wood shadow puppets to more realistic looking figures decked out in finery. Life size puppets, puppets from the South East Asia region, marionettes from France, colourful puppets from Rajasthan India, China, Colombia and Britain, gamelan sets (bronze gongs, percussion instruments and xylophones) that accompany ‘wayang’ performances, dance masks, sculptures and paintings relating to ‘wayang’ are also among the collection. Visitors to the museum can take in ‘wayang’ performances every Sunday and also look in on workshops on puppet making. The United Nations has recognized ‘wayang’ as a unique cultural tradition and an intangible part of Indonesia’s heritage. 
The Wayang Museum building is an interesting historic artifact in itself. A church occupied the site in 1640. This was renovated in the mid 18th century and underwent a name change. It was destroyed in an earthquake and a warehouse was built in the neo colonial style in its place in the early 20th century. This building was renovated in 1938 and changed hands several times until it became the Wayang Museum in 1975. Various memorial plaques from the days when a church stood on the site are also found in the museum and its garden. 
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