While in Bali studying mask carving, Alice learnt about the traditional stories and characters depicted through Indonesian mask dancing. Read more about her recollections below, then have a go at answering the study questions.
There were two characters in particular that I was really drawn to. One was Topeng Tua which is the old man mask. He’s got schtick. He’s gentle and funny, and kids love him. And then Hanuman the Monkey king. He’s well known in Asian fables. This white monkey king, very athletic, and cheeky. In the story of the Ramayana in Indian folklore, he saves Sita.
These are established traditional characters that are really lived, and everyone knows. The same way here we know fairy tale characters. So when people enter into the world of performance or mask making, there’s an understanding about which archetype or role you are suited to. Some of my teachers had been paying these roles for decades, and have learnt from their parents, who learnt from their parents. They all thought I was so strange because I didn’t learn the women’s dance. It’s this really difficult dance – so specific. All the hand movements are complicated. They create masks without wearing a mask – with their hands and pursed lips. |
Study questions
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