Topeng dance originated from tribal dances held in the honor of ancestors, where dancers with masks were playing roles of messengers of gods. In the beginning, prevailing themes of Topeng dance were nature and ancestral spirits. Later themes became wider and “The Adventures of Prince Panji” became popular.

When was topeng dance invented?

The current topeng dance form arose in the 15th century in Java and Bali where it remains prevalent, but it is also found in other Indonesian islands — such as Madura (near East Java).

What is topeng made out of?

In all parts of Java the topeng masks share the aesthetics based on the iconography of the wayang kulit and particularly wayang golek puppets. Carved out of wood they also resemble, however, the faces of the three-dimensional wayang golek puppets.