Shadow - The Malaysian Way |

Shadow - The Malaysian Way

I will inject some culture in today’s Photo Hunters.

This is called “Wayang Kulit”. The top two photos are the shadows, and the bottom three are the puppets that create the shadows. All images were scanned in (as they were hardcopy photos) , so, I apologize in advance if it’s a lil blur.

Wayang - means show or play or movie in Malay.

Kulit - means skin in Malay.

I’ve seen a Wayang Kulit play itself, and it’s extremely beautiful. It’s basically puppets on sticks, and it’s shadows are cast on a white screen. The audience sits in front of this white screen and watches these shadows.

Briefly, the puppets itself take a long time to make, as it is by hand. Each character is distinct and have very intricate features. These puppets are made from buffalo or cow hide. The storyline, music and mood helps transport the viewers back into time…and one can get lost in it.

It was once banned in Kelantan (A state in Malaysia), for going against the Muslim teachings….but I hear that it’s now been adapted to portray local stories and folklore.

For some of you who might be interested in the history, can read more here.

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Sat, July 14 2007 » Photo Hunters

26 Responses

sasha July 14 2007 @ 2:07 pm
but ah…wayang kulit and kuda kepang are believe to have “souls” living in it. So before performance gotto do some prayers to them before using them. Correct ah?

*whispers* yes..yes… u’re right…
Jose July 14 2007 @ 2:14 pm
Very cool shadows. I like it.

Thanks!
maiylah July 14 2007 @ 2:17 pm
wonderful take on this week’s theme!
love the presentation. i am really intrigued by the puppets itself. such craftmanship!

thanks for dropping by,
and happy hunting!

Thank you!!! And thank you for dropping by!
kissedalotatoads July 14 2007 @ 2:19 pm
Those make for fantastic puppet shows. I enjoyed the article about them. Great take on this weeks theme and thanks for sharing.

Thanks for swinging by!
Criz Lai July 14 2007 @ 2:21 pm
I was thinking of that too but in the end could not find a good lighting. Great shot on the shadow play. Have a nice weekend! http://crizlai.blogspot.com/2007/07/photo-hunters-shadow_14.html

huh? lighting …what lighting??? My pix are soooo bad!! HA HA HA!
yenjai.net July 14 2007 @ 2:23 pm
You successfully made it into a really meaningful post ^-^

*cheesy grins* thanks..saya anak malaysia mah…
Marsha July 14 2007 @ 2:24 pm
I am very interested in the Malaysian artifacts I’ve recently been exposed to through PH….yours are just as unique. Thanx for sharing!

grins,

Hee hee..thanks!!!!! Thanks for dropping by as well!
Ann July 14 2007 @ 2:56 pm
wow, great shots rich culture

Hee hee…actually quite bad shots…but good photoshopping!!! Thanks! and thanks for dropping by!
meeyauw July 14 2007 @ 4:41 pm
I’ve heard of this only once before. It is so fascinating! Thank you for this post.

And thank you for dropping by! Hope it was interesting!
jams o donnell July 14 2007 @ 4:50 pm
Great photos. I do like the puppets! Have a great weekend

thank you so much! thanks for dropping by too!
julie July 14 2007 @ 5:28 pm
Was able to watch Wayang Kulit before in a museum, it was very nice!

have a nice weekend!

that’s great!!!!! and thanks for dropping by!!!
hanneng July 14 2007 @ 5:38 pm
Mott, great post to take this opportunity to introduce Malaysian culture to the world.
Good job.

hee hee…thanks!!!!!!!! and thanks for dropping by!
TorAa July 14 2007 @ 5:40 pm
This very impressive work

really? I thot it was quite bad…but the photoshoppin’ made it look nicer! ha ha! Thanks for dropping by!
Michele July 14 2007 @ 6:27 pm
These are absolutely the coolest things I have seen… awesome!

thanks! and thank you for whizzing by!
helen_H July 14 2007 @ 7:23 pm
Hey, makes great wall decoration item!

hmmm….true…..but I’d rather not. They might scare the heebeejeebeez outta me!
Dragonheart July 14 2007 @ 7:56 pm
Wow! Very cool. Those are amazing puppets and shadows. Thanks for sharing some information about the puppets!

<a href=”http://dragonheartsdomain.blogspot.com/2007/07/photo-hunters-shadow.html” rel=”nofollow”>My shadow</a>.

You’re welcome! And thanks for droppin’ by!
Gattina July 14 2007 @ 7:59 pm
Very interesting and very special !!

Thanks! And thank you for dropping by!
Che-Cheh July 14 2007 @ 9:58 pm
Wow this is a great way to show our Malaysian culture. Kudos to you. Well use of the theme.

Hee hee…..thank you…….and thanks for dropping by.
JC July 14 2007 @ 10:03 pm
How fun, and interesting… great choice for the theme!

Thanks! And thanks for dropping by!
And Miles To Go.... July 14 2007 @ 11:23 pm
wow, that is beautiful!!

thanks! Thanks for dropping by!
eph2810 July 14 2007 @ 11:44 pm
Very cool - I have seen plays of it before. Thank you so much for sharing.

Have a wonderful weekend and happy hunting.

HEY! Thanks for dropping by..glad you’ve seen them!
Linda July 15 2007 @ 1:32 am
Thank you so much for sharing some very interesting shadows.

Glad you liked them! Thanks for dropping by!
Blur Mommy July 15 2007 @ 2:42 pm
I remember watching this a long time ago. Thks for the memories!!

Hope they were good ones!!! Thanks for dropping by!
PowersTwinB July 16 2007 @ 8:53 am
Wow! terrific photo for the hunt this week! I love the history with your post! My photo is up, please come and visit
zara's mama July 16 2007 @ 9:50 pm
But nowadays, can also get the puppet as cheap souvenir liao.

Btw, when you watched it, you can understand the Malay?
Michelle Marsh January 12 2008 @ 7:22 am
Hi there…Man i just love your blog, keep the cool posts comin..holy Friday . Michelle Marsh