The Warrior
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The Warrior - Javanese Wood Stick Puppet
With his military helmet and keris (magical sword) tucked into his belt, and Wearing the special design of batik kain or sarong from the Solo court in central Java the warrior is ready to fight for his Sultan or do guard duty at the palace.
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, as well as portraying stories from the local culture.
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