The Potential of Interactive Illustration Based Media for Introducing Wayang Kulit Art and Culture to Children Aged 8-12 Years

Abstract

Abstract
Indonesia is blessed with a wealth of arts and culture, one of which is wayang (traditional shadow puppetry), designated by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 2003 as a “Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”. Currently, Wayang Kulit faces significant challenges in the digital era due to globalization and low interest among younger generations in traditional arts. Introducing wayang kulit to the younger generation, especially children aged 8-12, is crucial to preserving this traditional cultural identity. This research aims to explore the general public’s knowledge of wayang kulit and the preferences for educational media that engage children interest in understanding the stories and characters of wayang kulit, particularly the Panakawan. Through a quantitative approach with questionnaires distributed to 63 respondents and literature review, this research found that the majority of respondents were more interested in learning about wayang kulit through interactive digital media, such as animated videos and illustrated storybooks. However, there are challenges in preserving the authenticity of wayang kulit values when adapting it to modern media. Therefore, it is important to create educational media that is not only engaging but also maintains the cultural authenticity of wayang kulit values as a legacy for future generations.

Keywords: Children, Illustration, Interactive Media, Panakawan, Traditional Arts and Cluture, Wayang Kulit