- Address: Jl. Pintu Besar Utara No.27, RT.7 / RW.7, Tamansari, Pinangsia, RT.7 / RW.7, Pinangsia, Tamansari, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11110, Indonesia
- Phone: +62 21 6929560
- Foundation date: June 23, 1968.
- Opening hours: Tue-Sun from 08:00 to 17:00
In the capital of Indonesia there is a unique museum named Wayang (Museum Wayang), which is dedicated to Javanese art. Here you can get acquainted with the culture and features of the country, plunge into the world of history and theater.
general information
The Puppet Museum is located in the Kota Tua area, and the facade of the building faces Fatahill Square. The site was built on the site of an ancient Dutch church (De Oude HollandscheKerk), which was destroyed by the earthquake in 1808. Later, a Neo-Renaissance building was erected here, which belonged to the company Geo Wehry & Co.
In 1938, the building was restored to the standards of the Dutch and handed over to the local society of arts and science, which studied the history and culture of Indonesia . In 1939, on December 22, the opening of the Museum of Old Batavia was held here. When the state gained independence, the building was handed over to the Ministry of Education.
In 1968, on June 23, the institution was renamed the Museum of Waiing. Here, repairs were carried out, exhibits and expositions were updated. It all took about 7 years, so the official opening of the site took place on August 13, 1975.
Description of the collection
Visitors to the museum can meet here with the Indonesian Shadow Theater. In his production, puppets are used, called the Vayangs. They are made from the skin of bulls, after which the figures are fixed on bamboo knitting needles. In motion, they are led by the Dalang (puppeteer), which is located behind the shield. He also acts as a singer, narrator and writer of stories. Such performances are especially common in Bali and Java .
The collection of the museum consists of various dolls of Vayang. They are characters of fairy tales and have a unique appearance and temperament. The most common of these are:
- Wyang-Golek;
- Vayang-Kulit.
In the museum you can see puppets from Cambodia, India, France, Vietnam, China, Suriname, Thailand and Malaysia . In addition to dolls, the institution hosts such exhibits as:
- traditional orchestral instruments - gamelan;
- paintings and sculptures;
- a plaque from the tomb of the Dutch governor named Jan Petersson Kuhn.
Features of visit
Together with the excursion visitors of the museum of the Vayang can get on:
- master class for the manufacture of puppets;
- representation of the shadow theater;
- at rehearsals of actors.
Free performances are held every Sunday. The institution works every day, except Monday, from 08:00 am and until 17:00 pm. The admission fee is $ 0.5. There is a toilet and air conditioning.
How to get there?
The puppet museum is located near such attractions as:
- the Historical Museum of Jakarta ;
- Art Gallery named after the Cote Post Office;
- Museum of Ceramics and Fine Arts.
From the center of the capital, you can get there by road Jl. Gunung Sahari Raya or Jakarta Inner Ring Road / Jl. Pantura / Jl. Tol Pelabuhan. The distance is about 10 km. Also near the establishment there are buses 1 and 2. The stop is called Pasar Cempaka Putih. The journey takes up to 20 minutes.