Looking For Puppets In Wonogiri
It starts with a casual chat on social media, then leads to a meeting in the real world for traveling together. That's us. Six bloggers from various cities such as Jakarta, Semarang, Klaten, and Boyolali agreed to explore the ins and outs of the world of puppets on the earth Wonogiri. Why puppet? Why Wonogiri? We millennials feel we don't know anything about puppets, especially shadow puppets, so we want to learn directly from the source. And it seems Wonogiri is the right destination because it turns out shadow puppets become one of the main potentials of cultural tourism there.
Solo is our choice of the meeting point. Do not use the waiting program because everyone can come on time. It was still morning when we began this trip. Street traffic is still relatively quiet. There are not many vehicles passing by so my vehicle can go fast even though the asphalt after Sukoharjo in the Wonogiri direction is no longer smooth and starts to bumpy.
Wonogiri Puppet Museum
Unluckily, we are all blind in Wonogiri. Nobody knows the way, let alone the ins and outs of this area. Only armed with the results of browsing and GPS guidance from Google maps are more often offline because the signal in this area is still unstable. Not infrequently, we stopped for a moment on the side of the road to ask the residents around.
About 15 kilometers drive from the downtown, after several times our car crossed the teak forest, arrived at the first destination. Indonesian Puppet Museum which is still included in the administrative area of Wuryantoro sub-district, Wonogiri. It's quite easy to find this museum because it is located on the edge of the road of Wonogiri - Pracimantoro km 13.
To be honest, I was a bit surprised to see this museum building because it was beyond expectations. Naturally, I imagine a large building with a diverse collection of puppets because behind the name of this museum there is a frill "Indonesia". But apparently only in the form of a contemporary gazebo building that looks less manicured.
Entering the yard, we were greeted by the happy face of Mr. Katimin, one of the museum's guards. The hospitality of Jawa Tengah was so pronounced from his remarks. Warm. Katimin then took us around to see a collection of various types of puppets from various regions in Indonesia. There are shadow puppets, puppet shows, Beber puppets, suket puppets, kumpeni puppets, klitik puppets, copper puppets, potehi puppets, and many more. There are around 436 puppets collected here.
The museum, which was inaugurated by President Megawati Soekarnoputri on September 1, 2004, turned out to be one with the Padepokan Pak Bei Tani M Ng complex. Prawirowihardjo. He is the uncle of Suharto, the second president of Indonesia. Here also Pak Harto spent his childhood to adolescence when cared for by his uncle. There are still relics in the form of public school benches, heirlooms, and family photographs. Unexpectedly, we searched for puppets but also found traces of Pak Harto's childhood in Wonogiri.
At the back of the pavilion, there is a bathtub and an old well that is still maintained today. The water is clear and abundant. I was able to draw and take ablution here. Yes actually just to reduce the strange feeling that I felt when I was in this backyard. The aura is so strong like there's something here. I don't know what that is. While I was idly playing at the well, other friends only dared to grin in the distance. Scared to approach hi hi.
Kepuhsari Wonogiri Tourism Village
The sun was blazing when we said goodbye to continue to the second destination to the tourist village of Kepuhsari, Manyaran, Wonogiri. The search for leather puppet craft villages is no less epic because it is in remote areas. GPS signal cannot be detected. I don't know because there aren't many tower providers here, or indeed my old gadgets are old school so they can't catch the signal.
Because GPS can't be used anymore, we were desperate to ask here and there. "Oh, it's already close, mas, fork in the front turn left, stuck then left again, then enter the teak forest. Well, there is the gate of the village of Kepuhsari. Look at the right side of the road. ”Said middle-aged fathers we met on the side of the road. Hearing that explanation we were quite calm. Thanks to God, when you are close. Our journey continues.
Nearly 30 minutes passed. The car is still moving. No visible sign of the gate in question. Lest we get lost in the teak forest? All began to quietly worry. While the car was moving slowly, we finally arrived at the gate of the village of Kepuhsari in question. Relieved. It turns out that the size of the close proximity of local residents and newcomers is haha.
Even though it is quite far, around 41 Km from downtown Wonogiri, it is very clear that Kepuhsari village has received the attention of the government. The citizens are already part of a tourism awareness group (Pokdarwis Tetuka) assisted by the Wonogiri Regency Disporapar. Javanese joglo houses have also been beautified because they were also opened as homestays
Not only domestic tourists but there have also been many foreign tourists visiting here to feel the sensation of living together with local residents even though only a few days.
My friends and I learned how to make shadow puppets at Mr. Sutarno's house. Not studying anyway, more precisely ngerecokin / make a mess when he was busy carving puppets from the skin of an ox. Next to his house, there is a workshop and gallery of the results of his shadow puppet craft. The items are good and unique. The price is affordable, suitable for home decoration and souvenirs.
From this short visit to Wonogiri this time, it seems we have yet to get the essence of the meaning & philosophy of shadow puppets. But at least, we have managed to find a puppet in Wonogiri. Already know where it is. Therefore, one day, I want to go back to Wonogiri to dive deeper into the local wisdom stored here. Stay overnight at a homestay, unite with residents, learn to make puppets to practice puppets, beat gamelan, jathilan dance, and explore natural attractions in the enchanting karst mountains. (Fahmi Anhar)
