Wayang

performance by the famous Indonesian ''dalang'' (puppet master) Manteb Soedharsono, with the story "Gathutkaca Winisuda", in Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Indonesia, on 31 July 2010 | ICH = Wayang Puppet Theatre | State Party = Indonesia | Type = | Criteria = Performing arts, Traditional craftsmanship | ID = 063 | Region = APA | Year = 2008 | Session = 3rd | List = Representative List | Link = https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/wayang-puppet-theatre-00063 | Below = | Note = (the leather shadow puppet), ''Wayang Klithik'' (the flat wooden puppet), ''Wayang Golek'' (the three-dimensional wooden puppet) }}

() is a traditional form of puppet theatre play originating from the Indonesian island of Java. refers to the entire dramatic show. Sometimes the leather puppet itself is referred to as . Performances of wayang puppet theatre are accompanied by a ''gamelan'' orchestra in Java, and by ''gender wayang'' in Bali. The dramatic stories depict mythologies, such as episodes from the Hindu epics the ''Ramayana'' and the ''Mahabharata'', as well as local adaptations of cultural legends. Traditionally, a is played out in a ritualized midnight-to-dawn show by a ''dalang'', an artist and spiritual leader; people watch the show from both sides of the screen.

performances are still very popular among Indonesians, especially in the islands of Java and Bali. performances are usually held at certain rituals, certain ceremonies, certain events, and even tourist attractions. In ritual contexts, puppet shows are used for prayer rituals (held in temples in Bali), ritual (cleansing children from bad luck), and ritual (thanksgiving to God for the abundant crops). In the context of ceremonies, usually it is used to celebrate (Javanese wedding ceremony) and (circumcision ceremony). In events, it is used to celebrate Independence Day, the anniversaries of municipalities and companies, birthdays, commemorating certain days, and many more. Even in the modern era with the development of tourism activities, puppet shows are used as cultural tourism attractions.

traditions include acting, singing, music, drama, literature, painting, sculpture, carving, and symbolic arts. The traditions, which have continued to develop over more than a thousand years, are also a medium for information, preaching, education, philosophical understanding, and entertainment.

UNESCO designated – the flat leather shadow puppet (''wayang kulit''), the flat wooden puppet (), and the three-dimensional wooden puppet (''wayang golek'') theatre, as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on 7 November 2003. In return for the acknowledgment, UNESCO required Indonesians to preserve the tradition. Provided by Wikipedia