Dan Nati Asia East Indies Java (Wayang Wong/Wayang Orang)LIFE Photo Collection
Wayang wong (wayang: shadow or puppet; wong: man)
is a kind of wayang kulit performance where the puppets were replaced by human dancers. It adapts the aesthetics and narratives from leather puppets into full theatrical-dance performance.
Dan Nati Asia East Indies Java (Wayang Wong/Wayang Orang)LIFE Photo Collection
Wayang wong has similar features of a Wayang performance
These features includes visual aesthetic, such as its make up...
Dan Nati Asia East Indies Java (Wayang Wong/Wayang Orang)LIFE Photo Collection
Headdress...
Dan Nati Asia East Indies Java (Wayang Wong/Wayang Orang)LIFE Photo Collection
Weaponry
Dan Nati Asia East Indies Java (Wayang Wong/Wayang Orang)LIFE Photo Collection
And its entire costume attire..
Dan Nati Asia East Indies Java (Wayang Wong/Wayang Orang)LIFE Photo Collection
Puppet movements adaptation
The Wayang wong performance adapts leather puppet-like movements to a very detailed body movements. The movements of the wayang wong performer are generally fluid and solemn, and recitation is extremely stylized.
Dan Nati Asia East Indies Java (Wayang Wong/Wayang Orang)LIFE Photo Collection
In the way the performer stood ..
Dan Nati Asia East Indies Java (Wayang Wong/Wayang Orang)LIFE Photo Collection
The way a performer would walk ..
Dan Nati Asia East Indies Java (Wayang Wong/Wayang Orang)LIFE Photo Collection
The way a performer would express something ..
Dan Nati Asia East Indies Java (Wayang Wong/Wayang Orang)LIFE Photo Collection
The performance is closely tied with royal court of Java
Dan Nati Asia East Indies Java (Wayang Wong/Wayang Orang)LIFE Photo Collection
Wayang wong performance would begin in the morning
and could last up to days.
Dan Nati Asia East Indies Java (Wayang Wong/Wayang Orang)LIFE Photo Collection
The main language of the performances is Old Javanese Kawi, and the performer would recite the lines themselves, while singers sitting among the gamelan perform the more demanding vocal parts.
Dan Nati Asia East Indies Java (Wayang Wong/Wayang Orang)LIFE Photo Collection
In its grandeur and style the Javanese wayang wong is undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest theatrical traditions.
