Wayang Golek dolls are traditional Javanese dolls that are made by hand. They are used in puppetry performances that are deeply rooted in Javanese culture and tradition.
The dolls are usually made of wood from the albasia tree. They are carefully carved by craftsmen. Each doll is hand-painted and often provided with colorful and detailed costumes.
What sets Wayang dolls apart is their posability. They have flexible arms and legs that the puppeteer can manipulate to assume different poses during the performance. The movements of the puppets are carefully controlled by the dalang , the traditional puppeteer.
The dolls represent characters from ancient epic stories such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, steeped in Hindu and Javanese mythology.
In 2003, Wayang Golek was recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. This prestigious recognition underlines the importance of this art form for Indonesia's cultural diversity and heritage.
