This puppet represents the character Limbuk, a serving woman in the royal court, in the Javanese 'wayang kulit' or leather puppet theatre tradition. She is recognised by her fulsome and ugly features. She carries a comb wherever she goes as a sign of her vanity. Her role is to provide comic relief alongside other comic characters in the 'wayang'.The vast majority of the 'wayang' plays performed are drawn from the two great Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata as well as local stories of Javanese origin. 'Wayang kulit' is considered the highest of the Javanese performing arts. Performed in the royal courts of Java as early as the ninth century, this tradition continues to be treasured as one of the 'pusaka' or sacred heirlooms of the court. 'Wayang kulit' is traditionally performed on ritual days and religious ceremonies. It has also been adapted more recently for television and public education campaigns.
