To celebrate a marriage or petition the higher forces’ blessings, in Java villagers gather around shadow plays. They often go on all night. This type of entertainment has been around since the Age of Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms, presiding over Sumatra and Java, until volcanic eruptions and earthquakes dissolved them.
Islam gradually replaced them, but Java has never pushed aside its cultural heritage. Attend a Javanese wayang play and become enthralled by the puppets’ adventures, taking you into world of the ancestors and the mythological origins of Indonesia.
After a visit to the pre-islamic temples of Java, we take you to a hidden location in the country side, to attend a performance of wayang kulit, the famous puppet show which has enthralled millions of Javanese since ancient times. One of the last Javanese puppet masters will play for about an hour for your audience. He blows life in the leather puppets in an incredible way.
It is the perfect way to conclude a meal of Javanese delicacies. The setting is magic, and guided by the explanation of your guides, participants will truly understand and enjoy it.
