Wayang Santri: Unique Tradition Of Javanese Commmunity With Moral Teachings

Barnama

6 days ago

By Kamarul Halim M Kamal
MUAR, July 21 (Bernama) — Wayang Santri stage performances may still be unfamiliar to many Malaysians, but this unique art form holds deep roots in the Javanese community across the Indonesian archipelago, where it has been passed down from generation to generation.
According to a young millennial Wayang Santri puppeteer, Ki Haryo Susilo Enthus Susmono, many Malaysians still mistakenly associate Wayang Santri with wayang kulit, particularly the well-known versions from Kelantan and Terengganu.
He said it was to address this misconception that the Wayang Santri stage tour was launched in Johor and Kuala Lumpur, starting July 19, to introduce the traditional art form to Malaysian audiences.
'Beyond serving as a platform for cross-cultural artistic exchange, the tour also aims to strengthen cultural ties between Malaysia and Indonesia, which share a deep and inseparable heritage.
'Unlike wayang kulit, which is performed behind a screen, Wayang Santri or also known as wayang golek, is performed live using wooden puppets,' he told Bernama after the Malaysia Wayang Santri Tour 2025: Indonesia-Malaysia Cultural Diplomacy at Keraton Mbah Anang here recently.
Keraton Mbah Anang, a centre for cultural activities rooted in Javanese customs and traditions, served as the venue for the Wayang Santri performance in Johor.
Ki Haryo explained that the Wayang Santri performances are distinctive in their emphasis on moral teachings and Islamic dakwah narratives, with the stories often about the Islamic kingdom of Sunan Kalijaga and are interwoven with contemporary elements, while remaining true to the original concept and values.
Ki Haryo, who inherited the puppeteering skills from his father, the legendary Ki Enthus Susmono, shared that each performance is supported by 17 to 20 musicians who play a variety of traditional instruments, including the demung, saron, gong, bonang and Sundanese drums, alongside modern instruments like the violin and keyboard.