History of National Wayang Day which is celebrated on November 7

YOGYAKARTA - National Wayang Day is commemorated every November 7 throughout Indonesia. This commemoration is not only a cultural ceremony, but also a form of respect for wayang as a legacy of ancestors that are full of meaning and values of life.

Wayang is a symbol of national identity, a means of moral education, and a reflection of local wisdom that has lived for centuries in the community. The following will discuss the history of the establishment of National Wayang Day, the world's recognition of wayang, and its meaning for the Indonesian nation.

National Wayang Day was officially established through Presidential Decree (Keppres) Number 30 of 2018 which was signed by President Joko Widodo on December 17, 2018. November 7 was chosen because it coincided with UNESCO's recognition on November 7, 2003 of wayang as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

This recognition is an important milestone that shows that wayang art has universal value and deserves to be preserved. Five years later, in 2008, UNESCO again included wayang in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

This recognition confirms the position of wayang as a world cultural work that not only belongs to Indonesia, but is also appreciated by the international community. Therefore, the establishment of National Wayang Day is a form of appreciation for intangible heritage that has enriched human civilization.

The word "wayang" itself comes from the Javanese language, namely wewayanganing ngaurip which means the shadow of human life. Every story in the puppet depicts the struggle between good and evil and the moral dilemmas faced by humans. Through characters such as Arjuna, Semar, and Srikandi, the audience is invited to reflect on values such as loyalty, courage, and wisdom.

Wayang has various shapes and types in various regions, such as leather puppets from Java and Bali, golek puppets from West Java, puppet people, to the oldest puppet. Each type has its own uniqueness in the style of performance, music, and philosophy conveyed.

Not only serving as entertainment, wayang is also a means of moral education that teaches universal values. The stories that are raised, such as the stories of Mahabharata and Ramayana, convey messages about responsibility, honesty, and firmness of heart.

The birth of National Wayang Day is not only due to UNESCO's recognition, but also a proposal from the wayang art community and practitioners in Indonesia. Through the Senawangi organization (National Secretariat of Indonesian Wayang), the proposal for this memorial day was submitted to the government until it was finally approved.

In the midst of digital technology advances, the preservation of puppets faces a major challenge because the interest of the younger generation is beginning to decrease. National Puppet Day is a momentum to rekindle a love for traditional art.

Preservation efforts can be carried out through education, cultural festivals, online performances, to digital innovations that connect tradition with modernity. Thus, wayang is not only remembered as a relic of the past, but also revived as part of the nation's future.

The establishment of National Wayang Day is expected to increase the creativity of artists in preserving the wayang culture. More than that, this celebration is also an invitation for all people to take care of, love, and preserve wayang as the identity of the nation and the source of Indonesian wisdom in the eyes of the world.