Preserving Wayang Kulit Gedek: protecting cultural traditions in the local community

This study investigates the role of Wayang Kulit Gedek, a traditional shadow puppetry art form, within Kedah’s local community, emphasizing its impact on social cohesion, cultural identity, and the involvement of educational institutions. The research underscores the value of preserving intangible cultural heritage as a means to enhance community unity and engage the youth in appreciating and maintaining national artistic traditions. Wayang Kulit Gedek, with its rich tradition, is examined for its role in shaping gender roles and societal expectations, thus reflecting and reinforcing cultural norms. The study also highlights the essential contribution of universities in fostering and preserving these cultural legacies, which are increasingly threatened by marginalization. To achieve these objectives, the study employed informal interviews to gain insights into the historical background, recent developments, and challenges faced by Wayang Kulit Gedek. Based on the findings of the study, it is evident that the aforementioned version is, in fact, a derivative of the original Nang Talung, a traditional theatre form rooted on shadowbased performances that holds significant popularity in the Southern region of Thailand. This study is on a specific group of "Wayang Kulit Gedek" in the state of Kedah, which remains active in the present time. The community in concern is known as "Wayang Kulit Padang Asun" and is located in Jitra, Kedah. By incorporating local components such as language, narrative, music, and other associated factors, this artistic medium has given rise to a distinctive manifestation of traditional theatre. This investigation has identified that the preservation of this art form is the most concerning element. Without the implementation of tangible and efficacious strategies, the inevitable outcome for the subject under consideration is extinction. Moreover, in the event that the conservation of this artwork is solely carried out by governmental bodies and private institutions, without any endeavour to promote its accessibility to the broader public, there is a distinct possibility that it will be irretrievably lost.