WAYANG

Wayang means shadow, used to name this kind of performance since originally the public could only see the shadows of leather puppets played by the Dalang player from behind the screen. It uses a special coconut-oil lamp, hung above the Dalang’s head, for the lighting. The Dalang uses Sanskrit language and Old Javanese Kawi language during the story, but then he translates them himself into the common Balinese language.

A Wayang-Kulit is the name of the puppet show, but that word is also used to mention a piece of carved-leather puppet. People call is Wayang Peteng, the night show, if the play is to entertain them at night, from about 9 pm until midnight. If it is played during the day then called Wayang Lemah, the Noon Show, for it is the part of a temple ceremony, and the Dalang plays his puppet without a screen.

In its further advancement people wanted more than just shadows which is in fact only ib black and white. They wanted colors, more dynamic movements, and more realistic play. So they created another play where the roles of puppets were taken over by dancers. They used a stage or arena instead of a screen, and the public then could see a more colorful playinstead of only shadows. However this later show is still called Wayang with an additional word Wong has no Wayang (shadow) to show, but only Wong (men)