TITLE: Javanese Hanuman
TYPE: face mask
GENERAL REGION: Asia
COUNTRY: Indonesia
SUBREGION: Java
ETHNICITY: Javanese
DESCRIPTION: Hanuman (Monkey King) mask
CATALOG ID: ASID036
MAKER: Ganuh Nugroho AdiNarimo (Surakarta, 1966- )
CEREMONY: Wayang Wong
AGE: 1990s
MAIN MATERIAL: pule wood
OTHER MATERIALS: paint
The Wayang Wong dance drama of the island of Java centers on the Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. These epics revolve around the god Rama and his battle with the demon king Ravana, who has abducted Rama’s wife. In the end, Rama retrieves her with the help of the wily monkey god, Hanuman.
This specific mask represents Hanuman and was carved and painted by the master craftsman Ganuh AdiNarimo of Solo (also known as Surakarta), Java. Normally, a leather strap would be attached on the inside at the mouth prior to performance, so that the actor can bite down on the strap to hold the mask to his face.
