Wayang Shadow Puppets

Style, epic stories, and surprises in the world of Indonesian wayang

In collaboration with

Unit Pengelola Museum Seni

No strings attached

Shining a light on Indonesian shadow puppets

8 Things You Need To Know About Indonesian Leather Puppets

Did you know the audience sit both front and back stage?

Zoom into over 100 puppets in high-resolution

Experience the craftsmanship behind the intricate details

View all

Listen and look

Where wayang meets traditional Indonesian gamelan music

Are you a teacher or parent?

A downloadable lesson plan to use in the classroom or give to students to work thorugh at their own pace

Ancient Traditions: The World of Asian Puppetry

Meet the five famous brothers in puppet form

The Pandava: An Epic Wayang Story

How 5 brothers made their difference an asset to win a battle

Which island does Wayang come from?
Clue: It is the fourth largest island in Indonesia
Java
Wayang craft form assimilated in Java Island since before 10th Century

Watch a Puppet Being Made

Try it at home!

Which wayang is which?

How to tell the puppets apart

Now see if you can tell the difference...

Can you find...

Zoom in and explore

Did you find them?

Find out if you're as keen-eyed as the hawk

Indonesia by color

From serene greens in Javanese temples to rainbow wayang

How long do Wayang performances last?
8 hours
The performance usually starts late in the evening and finishes at dawn.

Visit the museum

How many puppets can you spot?

Walk Around Museum Wayang

Sound on 🔊 for a guided tour

Wonders of Indonesia

Explore art, culture and history from Indonesia

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