From: Rolande Duprey <puppetpro-AT-aol.com>
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 08:14:54 -0400
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Dalang as Shaman/Women


Kathy,
Does Islam affect the belief systems of these ancient village cultures  
at all? In what ways is it expressed in Wayang?

Rolande




On May 8, 2008, at 9:47 PM, Kathy Foley wrote:

> Not all dalang have significant religio-cultural functions,
> especially in a contemporary period where people are not coming from
> traditional dalang blood lines. The women of the north coast are the
> ones I have run into who tend to have the most connection to the
> kinds of ritual function often (but not always) part of a dalang's
> traditional portfolio.  Topeng dancers/dalang  who do topeng babakan
> and wayang kulit are in this category of sort of shamanic stuff
> whether they are male or female--but it is not everyone who picks up
> a puppet is ever going to be in this category. Age, personality, and
> other factors are part of the differentials and gender will play some
> part too. I am not at present remembering a woman performing a
> ruwatan (ritual exorcism), and traditionally this is reserved for the
> oldest male dalang in the family  and  someone who people generally
> feel has the right personality (aura of seriousness and good vibe of
> positive spiritual power).  I would doubt that many women prior to
> the present would have taken on that story (Birth of Kala), but
> others may know of exceptions to my rule.
> -- 
> Kathy Foley
> Professor, Theatre Arts
> Editor, Asian Theatre Journal
> J-15 Theatre Arts
> 1156 High St.
> Santa Cruz, CA 95064
>  tel. (831) 459-4189
> fax (831) 459-5359
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