Similarities and Differences: Wayang Forms Lower Secondary Arts Unit Studies of Asia Learning Emphases Developing concepts of Asia World contributions by the people of Asia Specific Indonesia focus: Examine the Javanese and Balinese forms of wayang kulit, Javanese wayang golek and Javanese wayang klitik. Make a shadow puppet that reflects an understanding of wayang characterisation. Students develop the skills to effectively search the Internet, using Boolean phrases, for websites that provide information on the different types of Indonesian puppets (wayang kulit, wayang golek and wayang klitik). Wayang Terminology Wayang on the Internet Making a Wayang Kulit Puppet Teaching and Learning Activities Wayang Terminology Wayang means shadow in the Javanese language. Wayang kulit (pronounced why-young cool-it) are perforated leather puppets with movable, jointed arms found in both Java and Bali. The audience views the shadow from the other side of a screen. Wayang kulit are used to tell Indonesian versions of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata (see the Lower Secondary English Unit The Mahabharata: An Indonesian Perspective on this website). Wayang kulit performances can last all night. Wayang golek (pronounced why-young goh-leck) are three-dimensional wooden rod puppets dressed in traditional clothes and found in Central and West Java. They are used in performances of Hindu stories and Islamic stories of Muhammed's uncle, Amir Hamzah. Wayang klitik (pronounced why-young klee-teak) are carved and painted two-dimensional wooden puppets with jointed arms, most popular in East Java. They are used to tell the story of a handsome prince who ruled the Javanese Madjapahit kingdom in the 14th century. Physical characteristics of wayang characters Halus (good characters) have fine features, almond-shaped eyes, a bowed head and long slender limbs. Kasar (bad characters) have bulbous noses, bulging eyes, lots of facial hair, coarse features and fat clumsy limbs. Halus puppets that are giants or animals may also exhibit kasar features. Red and black on the puppets do not necessarily indicate evil. Wayang on the Internet Students research websites to complete the Wayang Quiz Activity Sheet. A lesson on searching the Internet can be found on the Lower Secondary English Unit Newspapers: A Comparative Study on this website. Students should develop their skills in locating websites independently. However, the following website addresses can serve as a guide. Wayang Bali http://www.balibeyond.com/wayangbali.html A comprehensive account of Balinese wayang kulit. Wayang Java http://www.balibeyond.com/wayangjava.html The wayang styles found in Central Java and Javanese gamelan. Making Wayang http://www.balibeyond.com/makingwayang.html A detailed description of the construction of wayang kulit in Bali and Java. Gamelan Audio http://www.balibeyond.com/gamelanaudio.html Examples of gamelan music. Requires Shockwave plug-in. Wayang Kulit: The Indonesian Shadow Puppets http://discover-indo.tierranet.com/wayang.html A site with excellent photos of puppets and manageable chunks of text. Art-Pacific: Guide to Artifacts - Indonesian Puppets http://www.art-pacific.com/artifacts/indonesi/puppets/wayang.htm A brief guide to the various wayang forms and their regional differences. Joglosemar - Wayang Puppet Theater http://www.joglosemar.co.id/wayang.html Joglosemar - Mahabharata http://www.joglosemar.co.id/mahabharata.html Joglosemar - Semar http://www.joglosemar.co.id/semar.html These three web pages contain excellent visual material relating to wayang, and consequently may take a long time to download. They provide detailed descriptions of the significance of certain physical characteristics, the colours used and the shapes of body parts of wayang characters. Discuss which search engines were the most successful in providing web addresses. Making a Wayang Kulit Puppet This concluding activity allows students to view at close quarters the differences between the Javanese and Balinese forms of the same wayang kulitcharacter - Bima, from the Mahabharata epic - and to make their own puppets. Instructions are provided on the Wayang Quiz Activity Sheet.   Note: The student activity sheets are available in PDF format and require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader plug-in to view and print them out. The Acrobat Reader plug-in can be downloaded from the Adobe website.   Classroom Resources | Curriculum Guides | Resources | Go Indonesia! | Home | Access Asia Lesson Plans  Commonwealth of Australia and Curriculum Corporation