The Courtier
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The Courtier - Wood Stick Puppet from Central Java
Clothed in Dutch influenced garments, the trim courtier to the Sultan is ready to assume his duties for the day.
This style of puppet, known in Indonesia as Wayang Klitik, is a wooden adaptation of the shadow puppet, which is made of water buffalo hide. Like the Wayang Kulit (shadow puppet), the Wayang Klitik is reversible, carved and painted on both sides.
Puppet theater is an important entertainment in Java and Bali. In addition to dramatizing the ancient Hindu epics, such as the Ramayana and the Mahabaratha, puppetry is utilized for education and the teaching of ethics, philosophy and political doctrine.
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