Dalang
/ˈda.laŋ/noun
A puppeteer and narrator who performs, voices, and directs characters in Indonesian and Javanese shadow-puppet theatre.
Did you know?In traditional Javanese wayang performances, a dalang may voice every character, direct the musicians, narrate the story, and perform through the night, giving the role an almost ritual status.
Etymological Timeline
Old Javanese
Old Javanese
ḍalang
“An early form associated with the performer or narrator of puppet theatre; the ultimate derivation is uncertain.”
Classical Javanese
Javanese
dhalang
“A puppeteer and storyteller who manipulates figures in wayang performances.”
19th Century
Malay
dalang
“A puppeteer or performer in shadow theatre, especially in the Malay-Indonesian cultural sphere.”
20th Century
Indonesian
dalang
“The performer who controls puppets, voices characters, narrates, and coordinates the musical accompaniment.”
Modern English
English
dalang
“A borrowed term for a Javanese or Indonesian shadow-puppet master and narrator.”
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