Wayang Golek: Meet Our Ducks’ Theatrical Ancestors
People are often surprised to learn that our ducks are handmade by skilled artisans in Indonesia, and even more astounded to discover that every character is carved from the root of the world’s tallest grass: bamboo!
In this series, we dive into some incredible bamboo stories to discover what our ducks are really made of. From bamboo’s Indonesian heritage as a versatile and symbolic material and its leading role in Wayang Golek puppetry to the sustainability superpowers that make bamboo such an important plant today, join us as we get back to our ducks’ roots.
Where tradition takes flight
For centuries, the art of Wayang Golek has woven its magic into Indonesian culture, bringing stories to life through beautifully handcrafted wooden puppets. These expressive characters have long been at the heart of celebrations, connecting people through shared traditions and storytelling.
While traditional Wayang is less common today, its heritage lives on in contemporary hand-carved figures - including our ducks! Most of DCUK’s talented carvers and painters come from West Java and use skills passed down through generations, tracing back to their ancestors who once crafted Wayang Golek puppets. We feel honoured that our ducks have become new characters in this centuries-old tradition, helping to keep heritage skills alive and celebrating life’s special moments through the joy of storytelling.
So, without further ado, please meet the ducks’ great-great-great grandparents - the legendary Wayang Golek puppets of Java!
Shadow stories
More than just entertainment, Wayang Golek is a sensory journey. Under the open sky, Wayang performances unfold in a mesmerising dance of light and shadow, accompanied by the hypnotic melodies of a gamelan orchestra. Guided by a masterful dalang (puppeteer), the puppets breathe, argue, and adventure through epic tales from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, blending Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, and Javanese traditions. Dramatic, playful, and moving, Wayang celebrates life’s great milestones, from births to weddings, all wrapped up in the warmth of ancient storytelling. It’s no wonder that Wayang Golek is designated as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Crafting characters
Creating a Wayang Golek puppet takes a special kind of magic, starting with a simple block of wood and generations of skill. With steady hands, artisans carve each character’s expressive face, shape delicate hands, and piece together a body ready for storytelling. A wooden rod allows the puppeteer to work their magic, making the puppet nod, gesture, and even throw the occasional dramatic tantrum! Finished with intricate paintwork and fi ne costumes, every puppet is full of personality. These time-honoured skills, once used only for Wayang, now help craft DCUK’s own charming characters - proof that great storytelling (and expert carving) never go out of style!
Don’t I know you?
Wayang Golek is full of iconic characters, each with their own unique traits and stories. From Cepot, known for his humour and trickster antics, to Arjuna, the noble warrior with a heart full of compassion, these puppets have been making people laugh, gasp and smile for centuries. Today, DCUK’s ducks dabble in this storied tradition with their particular breed of quirky charm and endearing personality. Whether bold and brave or playful and cheeky, our ducks want to make your special occasion memorable, just like the legends of Wayang.
Bamboo - the star of our show
Bamboo is the real hero of Wayang and DCUK, bringing flexibility and strength to every character. In Wayang, bamboo rods are used to move carved puppets with precision and ease, helping them come to life during performances. For DCUK, bamboo bridges the gap between ancient craftsmanship and modern creativity, helping us create tactile duck shapes and textures that conjure deep affection and continue a global heritage of shared storytelling.
Coming Soon
Grass roots movement: Why bamboo is our sustainability superhero.