Shadow Puppet Enlivens 78th Indonesian National Armed Forces Anniversary in Suriname

TEMPO.CO, Paramaribo, Suriname - In early October of 2023, Surinamese residents in Paramaribo watched the Bima Kridha wayang (shadow puppet) show at Theatre Thalia, according to the Indonesian Embassy in Paramaribo, Suriname (06/10).

The shadow puppet show was part of the 78th Indonesian National Armed Force (TNI) anniversary celebration which was celebrated with simultaneous performances in 78 locations in Indonesia and abroad by the Indonesian Defence Attaché accredited to Suriname.

In his welcoming speech, the Indonesian Ambassador in Paramaribo, Julang Pujianto, gave an explanation of the Bima Kridha play featured in the shadow puppet show. It was explained that puppet shows are often a medium to convey moral messages to the audience. The selection of the Bima Kridha story is an embodiment of Bima as one of the important characters in the Mahabharata story. Bima has traits that are considered noble in Javanese culture, namely wisdom, steadfastness, and courage.

As reported from kemlu.go.id, Indonesian Defence Attaché accredited to Suriname, Aviation Colonel Humaidi Syarif Romas, in his meeting with media partners stated that the TNI has the capacity in various fields to maintain national order and stability. Furthermore, it was conveyed that the TNI has several times conducted joint training with the Suriname military in the field of defence.

Acting as a puppeteer, Mbah Sapto Sopawiro, an 83-year-old Surinamese of Javanese descent, eloquently told the story of Bima Kridha in Javanese, English and Dutch. Suriname is a country of Javanese descent where the population is fond of shadow puppet shows and uses Dutch as an official language in daily conversation, in addition to Sranan Tongo and the language of origin of the population such as Javanese.

TEMPO.CO

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