Dozens of students gathered at the hallway of the Faculty of Philosophy, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), on Saturday (8/3) to participate in a ngisis wayang ritual, a traditional wayang preservation activity. The event began with removing wayang kulit (shadow puppets) from their storage boxes, cleaning them, and airing them out. This process is essential for wayang maintenance, preventing potential damage from natural factors such as mold, insects, and other elements that could deteriorate the puppets’ structure and intricate designs.
“This is a great activity to conduct regularly. Students can learn a lot and share knowledge,” said Dr. Sindung Tjahyadi, M.Hum., a lecturer at the Faculty of Philosophy who accompanied the students during the event.
The Faculty of Philosophy owns a set of wayang crafted by the renowned puppeteer Ki Timbul Hadiprayitno, which holds significant artistic and historical value. This collection is frequently used for wayang performances, such as during the Faculty of Philosophy’s Dies Natalis celebrations and other special occasions.
Moreover, in the Faculty of Philosophy, wayang is also utilized as a medium of learning. According to Sindung, this wayang preservation activity could be integrated into the Philosophy of Wayang course in the future. “Let’s work on this together. This activity can also be linked to the Philosophy of Wayang course,” he remarked.
During the event, students were also accompanied by several alumni from Unit Kesenian Jawa Gaya Surakarta (UKJGS) UGM, a Javanese performing arts group. Bima, one of the UKJGS UGM alumni who participated, expressed his hope that wayang preservation activities would become a routine practice. “This is a valuable moment with deep memories. The wayang at the Faculty of Philosophy is not just a collection; most of them were handcrafted by the late Ki Timbul Hadiprayitno himself,” he said.
Furthermore, Bima emphasized that wayang is not merely an artistic display but carries profound meaning and cultural significance. “There is so much we can learn from wayang. Activities like this are wonderful, and it’s great to see so many students participating. I truly appreciate everyone who joined. It’s important to recognize that we have a rich cultural heritage that we should preserve,” he added.
This event aims to raise students’ awareness of the importance of preserving traditional arts and culture, particularly wayang, which is an essential part of Indonesia’s cultural heritage. Through this initiative, students not only learn about the physical maintenance of wayang but also gain a deeper understanding of the philosophical values embedded within it.