Wayang Potehi is believed to have originated from the culture of the Hokkien people (a dialect in southern Fujian), and was first brought to Indonesia by Chinese immigrants, puppeteers and traders from the Fujian province between the 16th and 19th century.
Legends have it that Wayang Potehi was played for the first time about 3000 years ago. The emperor at that time sent five prisoners to be sentenced to death. One of these prisoners refused to be miserable during his last days and persuaded his friends to make a ‘theater’ to entertain themselves. They used pan lids, bamboo from their shoes and pots to make beautiful music, and made puppet dolls out of old clothes. When the emperor heard and saw the performance, he was so entertained that he freed the five prisoners, who then created the Po Tay Hie group (“Po” means fabric, “Tay” means pocket, and “Hie” means puppet or play).
Over the centuries the Potehi puppetry has maintained its authenticity in Indonesia despite its constant fight for survival. Today, Wayang Potehi exists mostly in Central and East Java and is slowly gaining its popularity back among Chinese and non-Chinese, young and old. A majority of the artists involved in Potehi puppetry performances – from the puppeteers, musicians and puppetmakers – is of Javanese descent, each bringing their own unique taste and perception in their creations.
