Wayang Santri: Unique Tradition Of Javanese Commmunity With Moral Teachings

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.

“One of the unique features of this performance is the inclusion of recitations of the holy Quran and prayers upon the Prophet, making it not just entertainment but also a platform for delivering dakwah,” he said.

He added that each show typically lasts about five hours and features five complete acts, using up to 190 intricately carved wooden puppets, all accompanied by Gamelan Abu Nawas music.

Meanwhile, Head of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) of the Republic of Indonesia, Ahmad Muzani, said the tour series holds strong relevance for the Malaysian audience, particularly the Javanese community, and serves as a meaningful initiative to enhance bilateral ties through cultural diplomacy.

“We hope this performance will continue to be held from time to time as a cultural bridge between Indonesia and Malaysia. It also offers the Indonesian diaspora in Malaysia a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with the cultural memories of their homeland,” he said when launching the programme.

Founder of the Parit Bugis Muar Javanese Association, Johar Paimin, said the Wayang Santri concept, centred on Islamic preaching and the spirit of religious struggle, has made the performance easily accepted by the local community.

“In addition to promoting cultural heritage among Malaysians, it also serves as a source of comfort for Indonesian workers of Javanese descent, allowing them to enjoy the art form of their roots,” he said.

Citing data from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI), he said that about 130,000 Indonesians are residing across Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Kuala Lumpur.

“Their response to the performance has been overwhelmingly positive,” he added.

He said that the association, through Keraton Mbah Anang,  will continue to work closely with the Indonesian Embassy and the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Johor Bahru to organise future cultural and artistic programmes.

This is to ensure that the values and traditions of the Javanese community remain vibrant and are passed down to future generations, he added.

The debut of the Wayang Santri stage performance in Malaysia was made possible through the collaboration of the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (ASWARA) and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM).

— BERNAMA