The Chief

The Chief - Tribal Wood Stick Puppet from Java

This exotic puppet is inspired by the Dayak culture of the island of Borneo, or as it is known now, Kalimantan.

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. This style of puppet was probably used for puppet theater dramas set in Borneo.

Dimensions