The Kelantan Malay Shadow Puppet ( Wayang Kulit )

The shadow puppet play in Kelantan is performed primirily as a form of entertainment in the towns and villages, and for many people it is an evening's diversion from the routine of daily life. In the past the regular wayang season began in February or March when the monsoon rains stopped, and continued until September or October. During the season, a wayang kulit performance was held on any night of the week except Thursday, the eve of the Muslim sabbath. (In the 1990s there is no longer a specific wayang season, and the frequency of performances is steadily decreasing in the villages). In the past it was usual for an individual or a number of people in a given village to erect a hut-like stage on which the shadow play is performed and invite a dalang to perform for a specific number of night, The dalang himself would then obtain a performing licence from the local police authorities for the performances on specific dates and in the given location. An admission fee would be collected from the audience, and a fee paid to the dalang and his troupe for eaach night's performance.

Occasionally the wayang kulit is staged in the context of an important ceremony know as the berjamu (feasting of spirits). This high ritual event in the wayang world is performed only for a special accasion such as a wedding celebration, a circumcision, the demolition of an old house, the intiation of a new panggung, or a release from a vow. The three basic types of berjamu performances are know as the pelimau (the ritual bathing of pupils), the pelepas niat (release from a vow), and the menyemah (propitiation of spirits, for the adjustment of 'winds' or emotions). When a new wayang kulit panggung was erected several years ago on the grounds of the Kompleks Budaya Negara (National Culture Complex) in Kuala Lumpur, the official opening and intiation of the panggung took place with a menyemah ritual performed by Dalang Hamzah bin Awang Mat himself. A berjamu is always a very costly event in terms of the preparation of foods and other material items and facilities, as well as the emotional and spiritual effort on the part of the dalang and other participants. Consequently, it is rarely performed.