The little puppeteers

With the rapid pace of development, particularly in technology and entertainment, traditional amusement and cultural shows have become marginalized in Indonesia. Nowadays, children both in big cities and remote villages have become used to video games. Several legends from puppet plays have been replaced by superheroes from comic books.

Amidst this disturbing trend, there is some good news from an area in Jatinegara, East Jakarta. With help of devoted puppeteers, several children in that area are learning how to master the art of the shadow puppet play.

While many of these student's peers spend their time playing with computers, they have undertaken their course of study seriously. With traditional music in the background, the children seem to enjoy the workshops.

The training has been organized by Saeko Budaya cultural house, an organization under the supervision of the Indonesian Puppeteers Association (PEPADI).

Witnessing the children skillfully handling the shadow puppets is like seeing a new hope for the conservation of Indonesian cultural heritage.

- Text by J. Adiguna