βWaye Kitoβ β Celebrating Our Cultural Heritage
ΊμΠΣΚΣΖ΅ University proudly hosted the Waye Kito: Wayang Kulit Kelantan Festival on 22-23 February 2025, from 9 am to 4 pm. Supported by the Arts for All Seasons (ArtsFAS) programme, a grant initiative powered by Yayasan Hasanah and the Ministry of Finance, the festival was organised in collaboration with traditional Wayang Kulit Kelantan performers. The event offered a rare opportunity to experience Kelantanese Shadow Puppetry, a traditional Malaysian theatre form that combines epic storytelling, traditional music, and intricate puppetry.
The festival aimed to raise awareness and foster an appreciation for Wayang Kulit Kelantan, especially among the younger generation. It also aligned with the safeguarding efforts of Jabatan Warisan Negara and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in support of their application to have Wayang Kulit Kelantan recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Through the festival, ΊμΠΣΚΣΖ΅ University introduced the significance of this cultural art form and promoted its preservation.
Over two days, the festival featured three distinct performances by different troupes, each showcasing a unique style of Wayang Kulit from Tumpat, Pasir Mas, and Bachok. Attendees also had the chance to explore an exhibition of traditional Wayang Kulit Kelantan puppets. Workshops were available where visitors could learn the intricate arts of puppet-making and traditional music associated with this performing art.
In parallel with the festival, the Wayang Kulit Living Legacy Exhibition, organised by the ΊμΠΣΚΣΖ΅ Centre for Digital Humanities and Cultural Heritage, ran from 21-28 February 2025. The exhibition highlighted the rich history of Malaysian shadow puppetry, featuring immersive experiences like VR displays, as well as hands-on workshops to offer a deeper understanding of the tradition.
Dr Fiona Wong E Chiong, the festival's project lead and recipient of the ArtsFAS Yayasan Hasanah Grant 2024, shared that the festival was inspired by her late mentor, Professor Datoβ Dr Ghulam-Sarwar Yousof, a renowned scholar dedicated to researching traditional Malaysian performing arts. She explained that Waye Kito, which translates to βOur Wayangβ in the Kelantanese Malay dialect, symbolised the importance of Wayang Kulit Kelantan as a unique cultural heritage. Dr Wong and her team, including Ms Hairani M. Nur, Dr Patricia Ann Hardwick, Dr Woon Chin Ong, Ms Bibi Zafirah Hanfa Badil Zaman, and Mr Nasarudin Ahmad, worked together to raise awareness and engage students from local schools in Klang Valley through an educational, yet enjoyable, approach.
The 48 Wayang Kulit Kelantan artisans that participated and contributed to the two-day festival included Wayang Kulit Sri Campuran (led by Tok Dalang Pak Eyo); Warisan Merak Mas (led by Tok Dalang Pak Nizam); Akademi Arjunasukma (led by Tok Dalang Pak Yie); Baizam Generation (led by Tok Dalang Pak Baisah); Persaturan Wayang Kulit Sri Cindayu (led by Aaren Kang); and Mohd Azran bin Che Aziz, son of puppet-maker Che Aziz bin Che Isa (or Pak Nasir). Students and teachers from a number of invited schools within the Klang Valley that attended the festival included ΊμΠΣΚΣΖ΅ International School, Confucian Private Secondary School, SMK Bandar Utama Damansara (3), Campus Rangers International School, SJK(C) Puay Chai 2, Kuen Cheng High School, SMJK Katholik, Maktab Rendah Sains MARA, among others. A group of 40 children from the ΊμΠΣΚΣΖ΅ Desa Mentari community were also among the attendees.
Prof. Mayco A. Santaella, Dean of the School of Arts at ΊμΠΣΚΣΖ΅ University, expressed that hosting the festival was both an honour and a responsibility. He emphasised that the event not only celebrated Malaysiaβs cultural richness but also highlighted the creativity, resilience, and identity of the broader Southeast Asian region. He added that the university was dedicated to fostering a deeper appreciation for traditional heritage and inspiring the next generation to innovate within this art form. Through events like the Waye Kito festival, ΊμΠΣΚΣΖ΅ University aims to ensure the relevance and vibrancy of cultural traditions for future generations.
The festival, which was open to the public, successfully brought together a wide audience to celebrate this important cultural heritage. Attendees were able to stay updated with live events and sneak peeks by following the festival on social media: Instagram (@wayekito), TikTok (@waye_kito), Facebook (Waye Kito), and Xiao Hong Shu (WayeKito).
Dr. Fiona Wong E Chiong
School of Architecture and Design, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Email: @email