WAYANG MUSEUM

Jl. Pintu Besar Utara No27, Jakarta

The word wayang, or puppets, translates to literally mean “shadow of life”. Indonesian is home to a diverse cast of stock puppet characters with long and animated histories. This of course comes hand in hand with a history of several prominentpuppeteers. In the hand of the puppet master, these figures come to life as character from the real world, whether humans, animals, or even natural phenomena, with complex ethical and physical values. Given this complexity, it is no wonder that UNESCO has declared Indonesian’s wayang a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”.

The Wayang Museum in the old city of Jakarta has the world’s most complete collection of wayang . the building, which itself dates back to 1912 when it was the Museum of Old Batavia, sits on the site of the 18^th Century Dutch Church, since destroyed by an earthquake. Many examples of two-dimensional wayang (typically made of leather and use as shadow puppets) and three-dimensional wayang (made of wood) are exhibited in the museum and come from all over the Archipelago to make a rich showcase of regional styles.

Opening hours: everyday (except Monday) from 8:30am-2pm;Fri to 11am; Sat to 1pm; Sun to 3pm.