ASEAN ARTS & CULTURE: ‘Wayang Potehi’ -JG Photo / Yudha Baskoro

Wayang Potehi, a Chinese puppet art form, was almost lost in Indonesia after the political upheaval of 1965, when hundreds of thousands of ethnic Chinese-Indonesians were killed on suspicion of being communists. (JG Photo / Yudha Baskoro)

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Wayang Potehi, a Chinese puppet art form, was almost lost in Indonesia after the political upheaval of 1965, when hundreds of thousands of ethnic Chinese-Indonesians were killed on suspicion of being communists.

The art form first came to Indonesia around the 16th century, when large waves of Hokkien Chinese traders settled around the archipelago. The traders brought with them economic opportunities and unique art, such as the Barongsai dragon dance.

Potehi puppet shows typically take place in Confucian temples around the country and are open for the public.

Stories told during the show include popular legends from the Tong, Song and Ming dynasties. Other narratives include popular myths like Kera Sakti, Sam Pek Eng Tay, Jin Kui and the Swordsman from Liang Siang Mountain.

Wayang Potehi, a Chinese puppet art form, was almost lost in Indonesia after the political upheaval of 1965, when hundreds of thousands of ethnic Chinese-Indonesians were killed on suspicion of being communists. (JG Photo / Yudha Baskoro)