As with so much in the modern world, how this came to be is tied to a colonialist history. Therefore, the role of the dalang in a performance of wayangtopengJatiDuwur is vital in ensuring the continued existence of the art of wayangtopeng. Fraser, in collaboration with Saiful Hadi, analyzes the expression of Islamic moralities in saluang performances in West Sumatra. This is certainly not to say that our field is immune from such issues—Hiranmayena raises several in his chapter. However, because he was not a member of the dalang family, he could not always give one hundred percenteither to his involvement in the development of the organization or in performances.
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