Juma'ali and Messages Through Wayang Wolak-walik

In the midst of the tumultuous conditions, Juma'ali continues to play the wolak-walik puppets he makes.

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Juma'ali, the maker of the Wolak-Walik puppets and the puppet figures he made, Saturday (16/3/2024).

Juma'ali (57) and wayang wolak-walik seem to be two things that are difficult to separate. Through puppets that do not know standards, both story line and characterization, the man who is familiarly called Lek Jum or Juma'ali Dharmakanda greets many people, especially children, in order to spread a message of goodness.

”…Indonesia, the archipelago is a common property. It doesn't just belong to political parties, it doesn't just belong to the authorities, it doesn't just belong to entrepreneurs. But it is shared property. Poro (the) farmers, poro ulama, poro teachers, kiai, soldiers, police, and all professions….”

That was a snippet of words delivered in a monologue by Juma'ali. Accompanied by the sounds of flute and percussion played by his two colleagues, the middle-aged man filled the program of Wayang Wolak-walik Nyadran Nusantara held in Goa Sorowiti, Panceng, Gresik, East Java on March 7, 2024.

Sorowiti is believed to be the location where Sunan Kalijaga spread Islam in the area. Apart from Gresik, in the same month, Juma'ali also went on "safari" to a number of water and water sources in East Java, such as Walikukun Hill (Tulungagung), Garum (Blitar), Derajat (Lamongan), and of course in his homeland, Poor.

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In that place, he performed a story while also holding a nyadran and prayer ceremony. Often, through casual conversations with residents while in the location, Juma'ali tries to help straighten out any issues that arise. In Blitar, for example, he tried to mediate when someone wanted to take over the local water source.

"In that area, there is a community group that wants to open a sacred site, but I dismantled it. The only issue is that there are people who want to control the water there. I am emphasizing that this water is good if used by many people. If the water flows, blessings will also flow. The water source must be protected," said Juma'ali when met at his home in Ngadilangkung Village, Kepanjen District, Malang Regency, on Monday (25/3/2024).

Until now, Juma'ali is known for often performing in front of children. He interacts with them by playing together. The themes are also free, light problems that are closely related to daily life, starting from the environment, togetherness, helping each other, to tolerance.

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Juma'ali

Together with his puppet creations made from used plastic, Juma'ali has entertained children who were victims of the Mount Semeru eruption disaster in Lumajang several times in the context of trauma healing. Also for child victims of the earthquake in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara.

The survivors were invited to perform together on stage. They were also involved as the puppet master. By participating in the show, the children will directly experience the emotions of the story being brought to life, and ultimately be entertained.

“Children are honest, as they are. By playing with them, I can convey moral values. Now children's play space is increasingly narrowing due to technological developments. Everywhere children are always struggling with gadgets. "This is certainly not good," he said.

I convey that this water is good if it is utilized by many people. If water flows, prosperity will also flow. The source of water must be preserved.

By giving them more space, Juma'ali hopes that children can grow as they should, have space for creativity, dialogue and communication so that their social life is maintained. Meanwhile, when playing with children during trauma healing, the hope is that they can forget the pressure they are facing.

Wayang wolak-walik can have two meanings. Firstly, regarding the physical performance, wayang wolak-walik is similar to the usual wayang kulit. The difference is that while wayang kulit usually only has one puppeteer playing the puppets from one side of the screen, in wolak-walik, the screen can be used by two puppeteers from each side.

Another puppeteer can also be replaced by anyone who wants to be directly involved in the performance. Their presence can also be replaced with other arts that support the theme of the stage, such as dance and other art.

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Children playing wayang wolak-walik with Juma'ali, some time ago.

Secondly, from a philosophical perspective, the back-and-forth describes the current situation. How humans with power and wealth can turn things around. Conversely, those who are weak and honest cannot do anything.

"Philosophically speaking, right, now whoever has the power can make right things wrong and vice versa. Meanwhile straight people have no place. So, philosophically, anything can be made good or bad by anyone in power, who has money. "Whoever has power can oppress people," said the 1998 graduate of the Indonesian Institute of the Arts Yogyakarta, Turgi Drama Theater Department.

The same goes for the content of the story. If traditional wayang performances usually adopt stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata, it is not the case with wolak-walik. Wayang figures are free according to the theme presented. Therefore, do not be surprised to find characters such as Gus Dur, farmers, kiais, and even government officials. The form of wayang is not specific like that of wayang kulit.

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The involvement of the father of one child with wayang wolak-walik occurred around 2012. At that time, his business in the culinary sector in the Bogor area, West Java, faded. To keep the wheels of the economy turning, an idea came to Juma'ali's mind to look for used plastic bottles of mineral water to make figures wayang.

"The used plastic bottles are ironed by me to make them straight and can be made into wayang characters," said the man who used to be a member of the Nahdlatul Ulama Central Executive Board.

The first character he created was a farmer. Coincidentally, there was a relation from one of the non-governmental organizations working in the field of agriculture. The puppet was then performed at the related NGO's event.

From there, Juma'ali's activities continued to roll out with performances in various regions, Islamic boarding schools, and even street children communities. The locations were not only around Depok, but also in other cities on Java Island, such as Sukabumi, Surabaya, and other cities where there were connections. The activity lasted until Juma'ali and his family moved to Malang in 2016.

However, Juma'ali's involvement with the world of "wayang" has actually been going on since he was in college. Around 1991, together with a friend from Belgium, Rudy Corens, he made a puppet show with the story of "Si Kabayan".

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The children were interacting with the Wolak-Walik wayang with Juma'ali, some time ago.

Together with his puppetry friends in Yogyakarta, Jumali—who has been a temporary teacher at several schools in Surabaya and Sidoarjo as well as a number of freelance activities—is also involved in making transparent shadow puppets. At that time in 1996 the story was about the legend of Batak Si Tungkot Tunggal Panaluan.

Now, amidst the hustle and bustle of the existing conditions, Juma'ali still performs his self-made wolak-walik puppet show. Each act he presents is tailored to the context that exists. It's not traditional, but it still resonates in the hearts of everyone who becomes his audience.

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Juma'ali

Born: Malang, 12 October 1967

Wife: Ariyani Pratiwi

Children: 1 person

Education:

• Ngadilangkung Elementary School/Dilem Elementary School
• SMPN 1 Kepanjen
• Kepanjen High School
• ISI Yogyakarta