JAVANESE CULTURE
Wikipedia-Javanese Culture-Javanese culture is a culture originating from the people
of the island of Java and is adopted by the Javanese people, especially in
North Banten, North West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, and East Java.
Javanese culture can be broadly divided into 3, namely the culture of West Java
(North Banten-North West Java-West Central Java), the culture of Central Java
(East)-DIY, and the culture of East Java. Javanese culture prioritizes balance,
harmony and harmony in everyday life. Javanese culture upholds politeness and
simplicity.
KESENIAN WAYANG KULIT
(YogYes.com / Jaya Tri Hartono)
KOMPAS.com - The art of Wayang Kulit has been designated by UNESCO as Indonesia's first
Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Representative List of the Intangible
Cultural Heritage of Humanity category in 2003. Wayang Kulit is an art form
that uses mythological character forms that are usually made using dried animal
skin (buffalo or cow). Played by a puppeteer, wayang kulit conveys stories with
messages that come from local beliefs and culture regarding noble character, or
even social criticism.
Wayang
Kulit. (Shutterstock/Jaya Tri Hartono)
HISTORY OF WAYANG KULIT
The word "wayang" comes from the word "bayang", which refers to the shadows of wayang characters displayed on a cloth screen (kelir) by lamplight (blencong). Wayang kulit is believed to have existed since 1000 years ago and developed rapidly in Java and Bali. Wayang was originally Hindu in culture but then Islam enriched the stories and values carried in wayang performances.
Wayang kulit became an important intermediary in the spread of religion and
philosophy of life, especially in Java. During the time of Wali Songo, wayang
was used as a tool of preaching to spread Islam without eliminating local
values.
MANUFACTURE OF WAYANG KULIT
Liputan 6-Making Leather Puppets-Leather puppets are made from dried buffalo skin with the addition of buffalo horns. The puppets are also made using screws to complete the elbows and handles of the puppets so that their movements look dynamic.
In the process, the buffalo skin is first cleaned of its fur and left for a month. The next step is to draw a pattern before entering the carving process. The carved puppets are then sanded so that the surface is flat and smooth.
Next, all parts of the puppet are put together and go through a coloring
process, which in Javanese is called sungging. To get the best results, the
coloring process is carried out several times, once dry, the puppet is put
together with its handle and finished.
(DOK.
SHUTTERSTOCK/NDARI KUSMINTASIH)
VALUES AND PHILOSOPHY
The wayang kulit stories are taken from the great Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, but have been adapted into local culture through carangan works (the puppeteer's own stories). Characters such as Arjuna, Bima, Rama, and Sinta have exemplary moral characters.
Wayang kulit contains profound Javanese philosophical teachings, such as
manunggaling kawula lan Gusti (the union of man and God), karma, and dharma.
These values are conveyed in a subtle and touching way, but also interspersed
with humor and socio-political satire.
(doc.berita
jogja sigit purwita)
SHOW OF WAYANG KULIT
Wayang kulit is played by a puppeteer and accompanied by a sinden with several equipment such as:
1. Dalang
The puppeteer is the central figure in a wayang performance. He not only plays the puppets, but also becomes the narrator, voice actor, singer, and leader of the performance.
2. Wayang (Leather Figures)
Wayang is made from buffalo skin that is specially processed and finely carved. These figures are distinguished by shape, color, and visual style to show character: good, evil, wise, tough, etc.
3. Gamelan
Gamelan music accompanies the wayang performance, creating a deep dramatic atmosphere. Gamelan consists of various instruments such as gongs, drums, saron, and bonang.
4. Kelir and Blencong
Kelir is a white screen where the shadow of the puppet is reflected, while
blencong is an oil lamp or electric lamp used to create the shadow.
WAYS OF PRESERVATION IN MODERN TIMES
In the modern era, wayang kulit faces a major challenge in the form of declining interest from the younger generation. However, preservation can be done, such as:
1. Contemporary wayang performances collaborated with multimedia technology.
2. Wayang education in schools and cultural communities.
3. Digitization of scripts and documentation of wayang performances by
cultural institutions.
https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budaya_Jawa
https://www.yogyes.com/id/yogyakarta-tourism-object/arts-and-culture/wayang-kulit-show/
https://www.liputan6.com/lifestyle/read/5185626/diakui-unesco-sebagai-masterpiece-ini-dia-fakta-menarik-wayang-kulit
https://www.liputan6.com/regional/read/5641692/mengintip-proses-pembuatan-wayang-kulit-yang-rumit?page=2
https://regional.kompas.com/read/2022/01/06/203258578/asal-usul-ragam-jenis-dan-fungsi-wayang-kulit?page=all
https://www.beritajogja.com/budaya/182886472/gayeng-pagelaran-wayang-di-ndalem-yudhonegaran-yogyakarta
