Java. From horizon to horizon, rice. Rice, rice and more rice with a small farming town or village dotting the fields. Any piece of land that can be cultivated agriculturally seems to be doing just that. Rice is served with every meal. The rice paddies are constantly being harvested. So you will see bright green areas that are flooded next to dried out areas and burnt areas. Now, I know nothing about agriculture I can't even keep a houseplant alive, so I'm just guessing here, but I think that once they have harvested the rice they allow the particular area/plot to dry out and then they burn it maybe to nourish the soil for replanting. Some of the terraced fields are quite spectacular looking with hills and mountains surrounding them. Rice, rice, we love rice.
4 comments:
Hi Melissa! I just read the entire page during my lunch. When I first saw the pictures, I could not believe that you are actually sitting right there in that scene that looks like it was taken straight out of a book! The spiritual, meditative music sounds really cool. And how interesting that American professors specialize in it, and you got to meet one right there...
I was really surprised to see how detailed the puppets are, considering that the audience only sees their shadows. (The puppeteer gets to enjoy the paint as he puts on the show.) Their beauty is enjoyed centuries later by admirers around the world. What was the 3-dimensional puppet from the museum used for? Why was he the only one who is not flat? Are the puppets made of wood or leather? Did you ever get your change back from the brusque lady?
I am glad to hear that you are enjoying some of the food there. Have you met up with the puppeteer you are shadowing yet? It sounded like you talked to him already. How is he? Will you be staying in that guest house the entire time? Is there any place where the mosquitos are better while you sleep?
I am so excited to keep reading your adventures.
Love,
Monica
Hey mama!!
I am loving your page. I read all of your postings and I am so happy for you. This experience is amazing! As I'm reading your notes, I hear your voice (because you even when you type it has your miami voice. (lol)
Your pictures are amazing and I would love to be there to hear the prayers in the morning. Well. maybe hear for one or two days. (lol) The puppets look great and I can't wait to see the Bushwick version of this art. You will get some interesting things. Post up some more pictures--I can't wait to see Java.
Be careful out there. can't wait for the next posting..
Love tennille
Wow, monica lots of questions.
First, the puppets are carefully colored besides the intricate carved details that are seen on the shadow side of the screen, but wayang is not closed. The audience can and frequently does go to where the dalang and the gamelan are to see and talk to people back there. It isn't the conventional type of performance we are used to. It is very communal, goes on for hours even the whole night and people talk and share and enjoy the show at the same time.
The three-dimensional puppets are used for another type of performance called wayang golek and they are carved from wood and dressed with fine clothes made golek size.
The wayang I am studying is the wayang kulit and they are made from buffalo hide, the rods are made from delicately carved horn as well.
The puppeteer I am shadowing is in Tokyo right now, so I have yet to meet him, but I am being taken around to meet puppet makers and dalangs by Furquon. I'll post about it later when I have more time with more pictures.
I might be going to live with another American girl, Carrie, who is studying wayang as well in a house which sounds pretty cool to me, but the mosquitoes are here to stay.
T, The prayers are Islamic chants/prayers. I don't understand anything except for the occassional "Allah". At first it will come from one direction, a loud speaker of some kind, then another, and another until the air is full of this chanting. It will last a good 5-10 minutes 3 times a day. At first, it was shocking to me, but now quite soothing and part of life here. It reminds me of the time, the culture and grounds me to the time and space I inhabit at that moment.
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