Malaysian Puppetry Association was founded by Dr Loy Chee Luen and Mr Gan Eng Cheng with objectives:

• Promote and preserve traditional and contemporary Malaysian puppetry
• Organise exhibitions, seminars, workshops and professional training as well as festival
• Documentation, research and education in Malaysian puppetry
• Fostering spirit of unity through Malaysian puppetry
• Collaboration between artists locally and internationally

Traditional Puppetry in Malaysia

Traditional puppet performances in Malaysia include shadow puppets, glove puppets, rod puppets and string puppets. The origins of shadow puppets are either Thailand or Indonesia. The origins of glove puppets, rod puppets and string puppets is China.

Shadow puppets are known as Wayang Kulit in Malaysia. Wayang Kulit in its literal translation means ‘Skin Puppet’. Shadow puppets include Wayang Kulit Kelantan or Wayang Kulit Siam, Wayang Kulit Gedek, Wayang Kulit Melayu and Wayang Kulit Jawa or Wayang Kulit Purwa. Wayang Kulit Kelantan or Wayang Kulit Siam are performed in Kelantan. Wayang Kulit Gedek are performed in Perlis, Kedah and Perak. Wayang Kulit Melayu is performed in Kelantan and Terengganu, Wayang Kulit Jawa or Wayang Kulit Purwa is performed in Johor.

Chinese traditional puppet performances in Malaysia is similar to Chinese Opera style and its content. The performances include glove puppet, string puppet and rod puppet. Glove puppet and string puppet performances use the dialect of Hokkien and are performed in Penang and Johor. Rod puppet performances use Teochew and are performed in Penang. Puppet troupes perform puppet shows during religious festivals such as Hungry Ghost Festival and to celebrate the birthdays of deities

MPA – Malaysian Puppetry Association