Some properties of Indonesian Shadow Puppet Theater and definitions.
1. The shadow puppets were made of buffalo leather and the rods were made of buffalo horn. These are not the American Buffalo that is out west but the Buffalo that you see pulling the plough in the rice paddies.
2. The puppeteer is called the Dalang.
3. The puppets are not realistic. They have elongated necks and arms. The toes are unrealistically placed. The eyes are an important part of the puppet. They are cut out to show the puppets expression.
4. There is an abstract puppet called the Kayonan. It is the shape of a tree, the tree of life and is waved by the dalang to indicated the start of the story. It brings the puppets to life. It is placed in the center of the screen.
5. The play is called the Wayang.
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