Terra Firma

Wayang Kulit - Indonesian shadow puppets. Wayang means puppet and kulit means leather. The puppets made from animal skin, are flat, and are seen mainly in profile. The head, legs and feet all face the same direction but the upper torso is turned so that both shoulders can be seen. The arms are very long. The puppets are decorated with details of facial features, head-dresses, jewellery and clothes. They are painted with bright colours, as they may be used in daytime shows as well as shadow performances. A stick supports the body. This is wider at the bottom where it has to stick in the banana log to keep the puppet upright.

The puppet show:
A white screen forms the stage for a shadow puppet show. An oil lamp or electric light is shone behind the screen and the puppeteer moves the puppets between the light and the screen, casting a shadow where they block the light. The puppeteer inserts the main rod from the puppet's body into a banana log. He then has two hands free to manipulate the puppets. The puppet's arms are hinged with small nails at the shoulders and elbows, and sticks are attached to the hands. The hands are in a fixed position. By moving the sticks, the puppeteer can make the puppet's arms move up and down and in different directions, bringing the shadows to life.
The puppet on the left with the white face represents a good character from the Mahabrharata.

The puppet on the right with the pink face, is a bad character.