Shadow puppetry revives memories on Cocos Islands
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Javanese master puppeteer Sumardi travelled to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, a group of 27 islands in the Indian Ocean, to perform wayang kulit, a traditional shadow puppet show.
The art form had not been seen on the islands for almost 80 years, since the death of puppeteer Nek Ichang in 1949. Sumardi’s visit sparked joyful recollections among a few elderly residents who remembered Ichang’s performances, which often lasted all night and were illuminated by oil lamps.
The tradition of wayang kulit arrived on Home Island in the 1860s with Javanese labourers. It tells stories from ancient Indian texts using intricately crafted puppets made from materials like goat and buffalo skin. After Ichang’s death, the puppets themselves were stored away and largely forgotten until recently being rediscovered in a museum on Home Island.
Cocos Islands resident Hafsah Juljali, born in 2005, learned about the art form for the first time during Sumardi’s visit, prompting conversations with her mother and grandmother about its history. Elders shared stories of beliefs surrounding the puppets, warning that leaving a performance early could lead to spiritual possession. The performance drew people of all ages together, and residents hope sharing these memories will preserve the unique cultural history of the Cocos Islands.
