This puppet depicts a tiger in the Javanese 'wayang kulit' or leather shadow puppet theatre tradition. It appears alongside characters from the wayang stories that include the Hindu epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata. In the Javanese kulit tradition, all figures and props belong to fixed categories. This puppet belongs to the 'ricikan' which includes armies, vehicles, animals, jars, etc.Wayang kulit is considered the highest of the 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 feast days and religious ceremonies. It has also been adapted for television and public education campaigns.
