KSAL Says Many Foreigners Know Wayang Kulit: Don't Wait Until You Must Go To The US Just To Watch It

Photo via Naval Information Office.

JAKARTA - The Chief of Naval Staff (KSAL) Admiral TNI Yudo Margono invites all Indonesian people to preserve Indonesian culture, one of which is Wayang Kulit (shadow puppet).

"Don't wait until later when we want to watch Wayang Kulit we have to go to America, we must preserve the original culture of Indonesia," said KSAL before the 2022 National Saka Bahari Leadership Meeting (Rapim) at the Denma Mabesal Auditorium, Cilangkap, Wednesday, March 23.

KSAL explained that many young Indonesians regard wayang kulit as an ancient culture that has begun to be forgotten. Puppets are also being eroded by a new, more modern culture.

The sad thing is, many other countries are now far more aware of wayang kulit than the Indonesian people themselves.

"Currently, many people from abroad have been able to play it, either as a dalang (puppeteer), sinden, or karawitan," added Admiral Yudo as quoted from the Navy Information Service.

The Indonesian Navy is committed to participating in preserving the wayang kulit culture by holding performances at every opportunity for activities within the Indonesian Navy and also through the media of Radio Jalesveva Jayamahe (JJM) 107.7 FM belonging to the Indonesian Navy every Friday, in the first and third weeks of each month.

This is done in order to motivate the wider community, especially the younger generation, to create a sense of love for the homeland, unyielding spirit, pride, and to be able to imitate the advice and lessons that can be applied in everyday life.

The form of the Navy's love for the culture of ancestral heritage was also shown by its participation in the VII National Conference in Klaten, Central Java, which was held by the Indonesian Dalang Association, which was attended by the Head of the Department of Defense, Laksma TNI, Julius Widjojono, representing the KSAL, with one of importance meeting agenda to redefine a modern format of dalang and wayang in the millennial and digital era.

Shadow puppets have a philosophy of life that can serve as role models in the life of society, organizations and the state. KSAL tries to attach wayang kulit performances to the historical moments of the Indonesian Navy because it can be a guide for behavior where in the play there are many tips that can be absorbed in the future towards peace.