Brunei`s First `Wayang` Show in the Works

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam - Brunei Darussalam is in the midst of introducing wayang (shadow puppet show), Project Coordinator for the Asean Puppetry of Brunei Darussalam (APA) Hj Abdul Hakim Hj Mohd Yassin told The Brunei Times yesterday, APA and Sena Wangi (Indonesian Wayang Secretariat) had wanted to introduce puppetry in Brunei since the inception of APA on December 1, 2006 and they finally did so during yesterday's seminar where Brunei was given the opportunity to start its own association.

"Traditionally Brunei doesn't have any history of puppetry because the influence of Hinduism is very little (wayang having Hindu origins) and that's why we don't have wayang kulit (shadow puppet shows)," said Hj Abdul Hakim.

He added that the Seminar on Asean Puppetry and Introductory Performance of Wayang Menak would provide a platform for Brunei to learn from the other four Asean countries, namely Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore on the development of the wayang culture in their countries.

Although Brunei has not had wayang as part of its cultural background, there had been modern interpretations of the wayang made by, for instance, the Language and Literature Bureau (DBP) through story-telling competitions that incorporate puppet plays.

''This is still a form of puppetry,"he said.

When asked how the younger generation can be part of the cultural phenomenon, he said that exposure through different forms of media will educate the youngsters.

For the time being, the coordinator said that there are no proper channels for youngsters to apply, but if they are interested they can go through the Brunei Darussalam association of writers (Asterawani).

"We can use puppets to disseminate knowledge and our MIB concept. In Indonesia, some of them disseminate Islam through puppetry," he said adding, "That is why we want to introduce wayang menak, a form of puppetry with Islamic stories."

If wayang is to be a part of Brunei culture in the future, the process of inculcating the appreciation of the art will have to be done in stages, he added. -- Courtesy of Brunei Times

Source: http://www.brudirect.com
Photo: http://wayangmp3.nokialink.co.cc

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