Wayang Golek is a traditional Sundanese puppet show made of wooden puppets, which is especially very

popular in the Tanah Pasundan region. Its distribution area extends from Cirebon in the east to Banten in
the west, even in the Central Java region bordering West Java often also performed Wayang Golek
performances.

Wayang means puppet. Golek means rod (as the puppets are operated by wooden rods). Therefore,
Wayang Golek means Rod Puppets. Traditional Wayang Golek plays can be compared to European and
North America: most performances revolve around Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses who fight
against evil, mystical, beings to (usually) end happily.

Three-dimensional Indonesian puppets are carved out of light, softwood. The head of the puppet is the
most important part, and that is the most intricately carved section of each puppet. The puppeteer will
often carve the face of a bird into the back of the puppet's headdress. Once the head is carved, the waist
and torso are then carved. After the head and torso have been created, a hole is drilled from the neck to
the bottom of the trunk where a large wooden rod is placed. The head is then mounted on the top of the
wooden rod. The arms are then carved into two sections: shoulder to elbow, and hand to elbow

Wayang Golek performances take place on special events. Performances usually begin at 9:30pm and
last until 4:30am in the morning. A puppet troupe may be hired by an individual, a family or an entire
village for a particular special day. A puppet troupe can consist of up to 30 people who are all directed by
the dalang. The dalang is the puppet master that organizes the entire troupe: he is referred to as a
master musician, an epic storyteller, a comic wonder and even a deep philosopher. Some dalangs even
have the power to perform exorcisms! Dalang's are also similar to a spiritual guide: they tell epic tales
about gods and goddesses and other spiritual beings: they are similar to a priest, a reverend or any other
type of religious leader. The Dalang sits on a raised platform in the centre of a crown of people. He can
operate several puppets at once by using an ingenious device called: the banana log. The banana log is a
long, rectangular and has several holes drilled into it. It is used to stabilize puppets so that the Dalang
can operate more than one puppet at the same time. Puppet training begins usually at the age of 10-12,
and the young puppeteer often trains with a relative. The 'apprentice' dalang is called the 'catrik' which
means 'disciple'.

There are five different types of characters in Wayang Golek Puppetry. Refined Characters: these
characters have white faces, bowed heads, and small and downcast eyes. They move in slow, gliding
motions and speak in low, melodious voices. Their language is polite, and the thoughts they express are
complex. Heroes and heroines are usually of this type. Semi refined Characters: these characters have
white or pink faces, slightly more upright heads, and small eyes that gaze straight forward. They move in
quick but measured steps and speak in high-pitched voices. While generally refined, these characters are
a bit more direct than the purely refined characters and more inclined toward precipitous actions. Strong
Characters: Strong characters usually have faces of deep pink, blue, or other dark colors, and large,
bulging eyes. Their heads are bowed if they are modest or held high if they are boastful. The bodies of
these puppets are larger than those of the previous groups. Their voices are deep and gravelly. The
puppeteer creates the sound by tightening his vocal chords and resonating the voice in his chest cavity.
These characters are the worker bees of the wayang world. If there is a battle to be fought, a forest to be
cut, or a bridge to be built, the strong characters are ready. Emotionally Uncontrolled Characters:
Emotionally uncontrolled characters have red or dark-colored faces, protruding eyes, and open mouths
with visible fangs. They hold their heads high and have large bodies. They speak in piercing voices with a
musical lilt. These characters are the antagonists. (the bad guy who opposes the hero of the story.
Special Characters: Finally, there are special characters—those that do not fall into the other categories.
Their voices and characteristics must be learned individually. There are perhaps fifteen characters in this
category; many of them jesters.The most important jester is Semar, who has a white face and a black
body. He is actually a high god who has descended to earth to help humankind. He is both male and
female, and is both father and mother to his sons. He is always groaning about how his sons do not pay
attention to the important things that are happening around them. He loves them dearly but reprimands
them regularly. His voice is slow and sometimes whiny.