Story of Bali, Indonesia

Close behind Rama follow Toealen and Merdah, under different names the traditional attendants of the heroes of the Hindu epics in the temple relief's of Java and in the Javanese and Balinese shadow-plays. The role of Toealen is really a very mysterious one. He is, it seems, almost a divinity, full of good counsel and friendship for the hero, but always with a clumsy, grotesque exterior. It has been surmised that he is the true Indonesian ancestor, subordinate to the adopted demi-gods of the great Hindu epics, but always enshrined in the popular imagination as a powerful benefactor and bringer of good luck.

In Wajang Wong the role of Toealen and Merdah is much more restricted than in Wajang Koelit, where they mix themselves in the divine battles and are obstreperously comic. Everything is allowed to them as to old-fashioned and trusty servants, but their chief purpose in Wajang Wong is to advise their master, and to translate into Balinese the unintelligible Kawi of the main characters. Toealen is always dressed in a dowdy black bed-jacket and a kain of blue or black check (the ritual kain poleng), puffed out in front with a bamboo structure which gives him a permanently pregnant appearance. His beige mask has only a rudimentary nose and an enormous upper lip

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