Puppetry spreads AIDS awareness

Ni Komang Erviani, The Jakarta Post, Buleleng , 

Night had already fallen, but dozens of people were still busy talking and moving around the wet, muddy field at Pemuteran village in Gerokgak district, Buleleng.   |  Mon, 02/16/2009 2:43 PM  |  Bali

There were youngsters, old couples and children, all visibly eager to see what the Wayang Cenk Blonk shadow puppet troupe would stage that night.

The clock struck 10 p.m., and a long applause greeted the video of testimonies from two boys these villagers knew and had seen before. Made Suparja and Nyoman Renti, both living with HIV, told the story of how they contracted the deadly virus.

"And we hope no one will ever discriminate against people living with HIV anymore," they ended.

Their testimonies were followed by more testimonies from other people living with the disease. The video lasted ten minutes and was accompanied by the melodic tunes of the gender (a traditional metal xylophone).

Afterward, Nanang, a shadow puppet character, made his appearance. The master puppeteer behind the character, I Wayan Nardayana, spoke in a fatherly tone, telling the audience how the disease was transmitted and why they should not discriminate against people with HIV/AIDS.

"Don't ostracize him, invite him to be a part of your community and shake hands with him, for HIV cannot be spread merely by shaking hands," Nanang said.

"Invite him in, don't discredit him. If you can, give him the courage to go through the ordeal."

That show last Tuesday was one of Wayang Cenk Blonk's efforts to raise HIV/AIDS awareness among people living in rural areas.

In the last five years, Cenk Blonk has regained its status as the most popular and sought-after shadow puppet troupe in Bali. Nardayana's cunning ability to mix sexually laden jokes, local anecdotes and poignant criticism of the authorities, any authority, is the main reason behind the troupe's success.

Nardayana said his concern for the spread of HIV/AIDS in Bali had driven him to do the show.

"We can entertain them and at the same time inform them about HIV, because no matter how you look at it, HIV will be one of the major challenges for future generations," he said.

Bali is high on the list of provinces hard-hit by HIV/AIDS infections, with 34 cases per 100,000 people. It is second only to Papua, which has 129 cases per 100,000 people.

As the show went on, several activists handed out brochures on HIV and condoms to the audience.

"We went through thousands of brochures in such a short time," said I Ketut Merthayasa, a counselor for those with HIV/AIDS, from the Citra Usadha Indonesia Foundation (YCUI), who participated in the distribution.

He added he was happy to help out at the event, saying that educational events such as the shadow puppet show were highly effective.

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