Shadow Puppets of Kedah

Ai Ting Holding Phallus with Dangling Phallus Between Legs

The puppet depicts a character holding a phallus with a dangling phallus between his legs. The puppet is made of goatskin while paint colors include black, green, and red with curved patterns. The puppet features include moveable left and right arm and moveable left and right arm ligaments. Height: 45.1 cm, Width: 8.3 cm, Width including left and right arm extended: 54 cm

Ai Ting Holding Phallus with Dangling Phallus Between Legs

Shadow Puppet (Ai Ting Holding Phallus with Dangling Phallus Between Legs), made of (goatskin), paint colors (black, green, and red), curved patterns, features (moveable left and right arm and moveable left and right arm ligaments), Height: 45.1 cm, Width: 8.3 cm, Width including left and right arm extended: 54 cm

Ai Ting Policeman Holding a Gun

The puppet presented in profile is Ai Ting policeman holding a gun. The puppet is made of goatskin and its paint colors are black, brown, green, and red with curved patterns. The puppet features include a moveable right and left arm, moveable right and left arm ligaments, and moveable jaw. Height: 47.6 cm, Width: 13.5 cm, width including moveable right and left arm extended: 66 cm

Ai Ting with Phallus finger

Ai Ting with Phallus Finger, made of (goatskin), paint color (black, red, and tan), string (bamboo), curved patterns, features (moveable left and right arm, moveable left and right arm ligaments, and moveable jaw), Height: 42.6, Width: 11.6, Width including left and right arms extended: 49.2

Ai Ting with Phallus Hand and Erect Phallus

Ai Ting with phallus hand and erect phallus, made of (goatskin), paint color (black, green, and red), curved patterns, features (private area showing), Height: 46.1 cm, Width: 13.4 cm

Ai Tong (or Yotong) Holding Sword

Shadow Puppet (Ai Tong Holding Sword), one of the main comical characters in wayang kulit in Kedah, made of (goatskin), paint colors (black, green, and red), curved patterns, features (moveable left and right arm and moveable left and right arm ligaments), Height: 35.5 cm, Width: 12.1 cm, Width including left and right arm: 39 cm

Arjuna, Central Javanese Puppet

Shadow Puppet (Arjuna, Central Javanese puppet from the Hindu epic, Mahabharata), Banks collected this and other Indonesian puppets separately; these puppets were not used in wayang kulit performances in Kedah, made of cowhide, paint color (black, blue, gold, brown, green, pink, purple, and red), string (bamboo), curved patterns, features (moveable right and left arm and moveable right and left arm ligaments), Height: 40.9 cm, Width:14.9 cm, width including moveable right and left arm extended: 67.5 cm

Bird

A red and green bird depicted in profile. The leather puppet is supported by a central bamboo rod that is tied to the leather figure via cording. The leather is thin and translucent goatskin. The puppet has been dyed with vivid colors of pigment that permeate the leather and allow the bright colors of the puppet to project through the shadow screen and provide a colorized shadow. This puppet is static and does not feature any articulated joints, Height: 16.3 cm, Width: 22 cm

Buddhist Monk in Robes with Staff

The puppet depicts a male Buddhist monk wearing red and green trimmed robes carrying a staff. The face of the puppet is portrayed en face with while the body of the puppet is depicted in profile. The puppet is bald, barefoot, and is depicted with a bent stature reminiscent of that of the Reusi character. One arm of the puppet is articulated at the shoulder, elbow and wrist. The articulated arm is manipulated by a puppeteer via a bamboo rod attached by a knotted cord to the hand. The leather puppet is supported by a central bamboo rod that is tied to the leather figure via cording. The leather is thin and translucent goatskin. The puppet has been dyed with vivid colors of pigment that permeate the leather and allow the bright colors of the clothing of the puppet to project through the shadow screen and provide a colorized shadow. Dimensions: Height: 43.4 cm Width: 13.5 cm Width including extended articulated arm: 34.4 cm

Cakil, Central Javanese Shadow Puppet

Cakil is portrayed with a red face, large lower jaw, and slanted closed eyes which mark his blindness. His face and body are presented in profile, but his shoulders are positioned to allow unrestrained movement of both arms. His large face and prominent teeth mark him as an unrefined giant character despite his slim body. The cowhide puppet of Cakil is supported by a central rod of carved and heat shaped buffalo horn. This central buffalo horn rod is broken in the mid-torso area. Both of Cakil’s arms are articulated with joints at the shoulder, elbow and wrist, and controlled by rods made of carved and polished buffalo horn. There is significant use wear on this puppet and signs that it has been performed with and repaired several times. In Javanese shadow theater, the character of Cakil is understood to be a blind giant whose lower jaw juts out more prominently than his upper jaw. Although Cakil often is portrayed in conflict with the hero Arjuna, he is understood to be a comic figure rather than a serious enemy. Cakil is known for never giving up, fighting to the death, and being killed by his own dagger. Cakil is one of three central Javanese shadow puppet figures that appear in the Banks collection. These puppets were not used in performances in Kedah. Banks acquired them from a Malaysian government shop in Kuala Lumpur. Pigment on all the Javanese shadow puppets has been applied in the form of paint and does not permeate the leather. All of the shadows cast by these puppets are opaque and black in contrast to the translucent colorized shadows of the Nang Talung-Wayang Gedek puppets in the Banks collection. Dimensions: Height: 55 cm Width: 22 cm Width including left and right arm extended: 84.5cm

Chinese Old Man with Sword

Shadow Puppet (Chinese Old Man with Sword), made of (goatskin), paint colors (black, green, red, tan, and yellow), curved patterns, features (moveable left arm and moveable left arm ligaments), Height: 53 cm, Width: 20.2 cm, Width including left arm extended: 45 cm

Chinese Princess with Braids and Wearing Pantaloons

The puppet depicted in profile is a Chinese princess with braids and wearing pantaloons. The puppet is made of goatskin and its paint colors are black, green, purple, red, and tan with curved patterns. The puppet features include a moveable left arm and moveable left arm ligaments. Height: 38.4 cm, Width: 11.4 cm, Width including left and right arm: 26 cm

Chon (Orang Asli, Male clown with club)

Chon is an unrefined male clown character, who is featured with a bald head and large ear. He is portrayed as wearing an elaborate upper garment that covers his chest. Both arms are articulated at the shoulder, elbow and wrist. The articulated arms are manipulated by a puppeteer via a bamboo rod attached by a knotted cord to the hand. The leather puppet is supported by a central bamboo rod that is tied to the leather figure via cording. He also features a hinged and articulated jaw with a bamboo hinge which can be moved via a fiber cord in order to enable the puppet to appear to speak. Dimensions: Height: 71.5cm Width: 24.3cm Width including extended articulated arms: 73.3cm

Clown King with Sword Wearing Heels

Clown King with Sword Wearing Heels, made of (goatskin), paint color (black, green, red and tan), curved patterns, features (moveable right arm, moveable right arm ligaments, and moveable jaw), Height: 57 cm, Width: 12 cm, Width including left arm extended: 32 cm

Clown Nunai in Uniform

Nunai is a male clown character and is usually depicted in profile with one hand holding a blade made from betel nut shears. Both arms of Nunai are articulated at the shoulder, elbow and wrist. The articulated arms are manipulated by a puppeteer via a bamboo rod attached by a knotted cord to the hand. The leather puppet is supported by a central bamboo rod that is tied to the leather figure via cording. Nunai also features a hinged and articulated jaw with a bamboo hinge which can be moved via a fiber cord in order to enable the puppet to appear to speak. Height: 43.5 cm, Width: 11.7 cm, Width including left and right arm extended: 57.5 cm

Cowboy Holding a Machine Gun and a Rifler

The puppet depicted in profile is a cowboy holding a machine gun and a rifler. The puppet is made of goatskin and its paint colors black, green, purple, red, and tan with curved patterns. The puppet features include a moveable left arm and moveable left arm ligaments. Height: 45 cm, Width: 15 cm, Width including left arm: 39.5 cm

Deva Hanuman (Monkey God) with Four Arms

Shadow Puppet (Hanuman) Description: Hanuman the monkey warrior god-king depicted in profile with head held high and an open mouth in a fighting posture. Hanuman holds a weapon a sword, trident, discus, and a chakra. Hanuman is portrayed wearing a stylized Kiu headdress In Nang Talung, the character of Hanuman is known as the son of Phra Phai, the Wind God by Nang Sawaha. He is a prominent character in the Ramakien and Ramayana both in Malaysia and Thailand. This puppet is not attached to a bamboo rod and is painted completely black so that it would cast an opaque black shadow through the screen. This puppet is static and does not feature any articulated joints. Dimensions: Height: 47cm Width: 37cm

Deva-like Monster King holding a discus

Depicted in profile in a fighting posture this strong unrefined male deva-like Gergasi (Monster) king figure holds a discus. His head is held high and he is depicted with the face of a green demon with a large bulbous nose, fangs, and a clamped mouth. The puppet is portrayed wearing a yod naga, or serpent peak headdress and a kabang-na crown often worn by demons and monkeys. One arm is articulated at the shoulder, elbow and wrist. The articulated arm is manipulated by a puppeteer via a bamboo rod attached by a knotted cord to the hand. The leather puppet is supported by a central bamboo rod that is tied to the leather figure via cording. Another bamboo rod extends from the central bamboo rod and tied to the leather puppet to support the hand holding the discus. Dimensions: Height: 66cm Width: 25.8cm Width including extended articulated arm: 64cm

Dragon

Description: Articulated dragon with seven joints depicted in profile with mouth open and fangs exposed. The seven sections of the dragon are joined with fiber cord, and a short bamboo rod is attached to both the head and tail of the dragon by fiber cording and a decayed rubber band. Red pigment appears in a semi-circle on the head of the dragon, on the exposed tongue of the dragon, and as vertical stripes along the dragon’s body. Dimension: Height: 6.4cm Width: 76.5cm

Female Clown in Knee Length Skirt

The puppet depicted is a female clown. The puppet is made of goatskin and its paint color is brown. The puppet features include a moveable left arm, moveable left arm ligaments, moveable jaw. Height: 37 cm, Width: 13 cm, width including extended moveable left arm: 27 cm

Female Clown Wearing a Green Dress

The puppet depicted in profile is a female clown wearing a green dress. The puppet is made of goatskin and its paint color are black, green, purple, red, and yellow with curved patterns. The puppet features include a moveable right arm and moveable right arm ligaments. Height: 40.5 cm, Width: 16.9 cm, width including moveable right arm extended: 33.5 cm

Female Skeleton Hantu (Evil Spirit)

The puppet depicted in profile is a female skeleton hantu. The puppet is made of goatskin and its paint colors are black and red with curved patterns. The puppet features include a moveable left and right arm and moveable left and right leg. Height: 31 cm, Width: 11.3 cm, Width including left and right arm: 42.9 cm, Width including left and right leg: 42.1 cm

Forest Gergasi (Beast) with Sword

The puppet depicted is of a Forest Gergasi holding a Sword. The puppet is made of goatskin and its paint color are black, brown, and red with curved patterns. The puppet features include a moveable right arm and moveable right arm ligaments. Height: 54.5 cm, Width: 24.3 cm, width including moveable right arm extended: 44.5 cm

Gandamana, Central Javanese Shadow Puppet

Gandamana, the chief minister in the court of Pandu. Gandamana only appears in Javanese versions of the Mahabharata. Gandamana is an assertive and bold character which is reflected in his large round-eyes, forward gaze and wide stance. Gandamana is one of three central Javanese shadow puppet figures that appear in the Banks collection. These characters were not used in performances in Kedah in 1974. Banks acquired these puppets from a Malaysian government shop in Kuala Lumpur. Pigment on all the Javanese shadow puppets has been applied in the form of paint and does not permeate the leather. All of the shadows cast by these puppets are opaque and black in contrast to the translucent colorized shadows of the puppets in the Banks collection. Height: 54.5 cm, Width: 24.3 cm, width including moveable right and left arm extended: 44.5 cm

Gergasi (Monster) King holding a club

Description: Depicted in profile in a fighting posture this strong unrefined male warrior figure holds a club. His head is held high and he is depicted with the face of a demon with a large bulbous nose, fangs, and a clamped mouth. This puppet may be a portrayal of the character Satthasun, friend of Thosakan, slain by Hanuman in the Ramakien as one of Satthasun’s attributes is a club. The puppet is portrayed wearing a Mongkut yot chip headdress. One arm is articulated at the shoulder, elbow and wrist. The articulated arm is manipulated by a puppeteer via a bamboo rod attached by a knotted cord to the hand. The leather puppet is supported by a central bamboo rod that is tied to the leather figure via cording. Dimensions: Height: 49cm Width: 12cm Width including extended articulated arm: 46cm