The Purwa Puppet (Wayang Kulit Purwa)

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The Puppets Purwa
The term Purwa (first or initial), which means the shadow puppets of the first and the most oldest in Indonesia. Purwa shadow puppets can be seen from the inscriptions on the 11th century during the reign of Erlangga which states:

"Hanonton ringgit meanings asekel muda hidepan, huwus wruh towin jan walulang inukir molah angucap" (Some people see puppets cry, amazed, and saddened heart. Although it is understood that the visits had only the sculptured shape of the skin can move and speak). Excerpt above is the temple 59 in Kakawin Arjuna Wiwaha karya Empu Kanwa (1030), one of the oldest written sources and authenticity of the leather puppet show that became known in Java, namely during the reign of Airlangga Dharmawangsa in the Kingdom of Kediri.

Purwa shadow puppets made of buffalo skin, a carved, are colored in accordance with the rules of Puppets   puppetry outward appearance, given the stem of albino buffalo horn materials are processed in such a way with names cempurit consisting of blame game and pincers.

Judging from the form of shadow puppet itself can be classified into several groups, among others:
  • Puppet golden roe (Wayang Kidang Kencana) : medium-sized puppets are not too big nor too small, in accordance with the need to of mastermind (puppets for the show).
  • Puppet Ageng  : namely large puppets, especially members of the body in the stomach and legs than regular puppets, puppets called Puppet jujudan.
  • Puppet Kapers : the puppet smaller than in the ordinary puppet. Puppet Kateb, ie the size puppets with long legs are not balanced with the body.