{{Short description|Figures in Javanese puppet theater}} {{More citations needed|date=October 2024}} {{Indonesian mythology and folklore}} [[File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wajang wong voorstelling 'Jaya Semadi en Sri Suwela' in de kraton van de sultan van Jogjakarta TMnr 60002058.jpg|thumb|{{lang|jv|Panakawan}} (''right'') accompanied their masters in a traditional {{lang|jv|wayang wong}} theater performance in Yogyakarta. September 1923.]] [[File:Wayang Punakawan.jpg|thumb|{{lang|jv|Panakawan}} in {{lang|jv|wayang kulit}}, from left to right: Bagong, Petruk, Gareng, and Semar.]]
In Javanese {{lang|jv|wayang}}, the '''{{lang|jv|panakawan}}''' ({{langx|jv|ꦥꦤꦏꦮꦤ꧀}})<ref name="Robson Wibisono 2002 1">{{Harvcoltxt|Robson|Wibisono|2002|pp=536}}</ref> or '''{{lang|jv|punakawan}}''' ({{langx|jv|ꦥꦸꦤꦏꦮꦤ꧀|label=none}})<ref>{{Harvcoltxt|Robson|Wibisono|2002|pp=604}}</ref> are the clown servants of the hero. There are four of them – Semar, Petruk, {{ill|Gareng|id}} ({{langx|jv|ꦒꦫꦺꦁ|translit=Garèng|label=none}}),<ref>{{Harvcoltxt|Robson|Wibisono|2002|pp=231}}</ref> and {{ill|Bagong|id}} ({{langx|jv|ꦧꦒꦺꦴꦁ|label=none}}).<ref>{{Harvcoltxt|Robson|Wibisono|2002|pp=65}}</ref> Semar is the personification of a deity, sometimes said to be the {{lang|jv|dhanyang}} ({{langx|jv|ꦝꦚꦁ}})<ref>{{Harvcoltxt|Robson|Wibisono|2002|pp=181}}</ref> or guardian spirit of the island of Java. In Javanese mythology, deities can only manifest themselves as ugly or otherwise unprepossessing humans, and so Semar is always portrayed as short and fat with a pug nose and a dangling hernia.
His three companions are his adopted sons, given to Semar as votaries by their parents. Petruk is portrayed as tall and gangling with a long nose, Gareng as short with a club foot, and Bagong as obese.
The {{lang|jv|panakawan}} always appear in the second act of a {{lang|jv|wayang}} performance – ''pathet sanga'' – as servants to the hero of the story regardless of who that hero is.
Similar characters appear in other Indonesian wayang and theatrical traditions, including those of Bali and Sunda, under different names.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-27 |title=Mengenal 4 Tokoh Punakawan, Sangut, Delem, Tualen, dan Merdah dalam Pewayangan Bali {{!}} Kintamani.id |url=https://www.kintamani.id/mengenal-4-tokoh-punakawan-sangut-delem-tualen-dan-merdah-dalam-pewayangan-bali/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |language=id}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Makna Filosofis Punakawan pada Wayang Golek: dari Semar, Cepot, Dawala, hingga Gareng |url=https://jabar.nu.or.id/nasional/makna-filosofis-punakawan-pada-wayang-golek-dari-semar-cepot-dawala-hingga-gareng-RxYq3 |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=NU Online |language=id-id}}</ref>
The {{lang|jv|panakawan}} characters are generally much-loved by audiences who attend wayang plays in Indonesia and their appearance in the plays is usually greeted with laughter and anticipation.
==Role== The ''Javanese English Dictionary'' gives the first definition of the Javanese word {{lang|jv|panakawan}} as "follower, servant".<ref name="Robson Wibisono 2002 1"/> In {{lang|jv|wayang}}, {{lang|jv|panakawan}} are not just mere servants or followers, but they also understand what is happening to their masters. They often act as advisors to their masters.
The most distinctive thing about the existence of {{lang|jv|panakawan}} is they act as a group that spreads humour in the story. Their behavior and speech typically invite laughter from the audience. Apart from being comforters and advisers, they sometimes also act as helpers to their masters in times of adversity. For example, when Bimasena has to face Shakuni in the Bharatayuddha war, Semar comes up to inform him of Shakuni's weakness.
In conversations between {{lang|jv|panakawan}}, it is common for the language and terms they use to be modern terms that are not following their era. But this seems to have become normal and is not a problem. For example, in {{lang|jv|wayang}} performances, Petruk claims to have a car or cellphone, even though these two objects certainly did not exist in the {{lang|jv|wayang}} era back then.
==References== {{reflist}}
===Sources=== {{refbegin}} * {{cite book |last1 = Robson |first1 = Stuart |last2 = Wibisono |first2 = Singgih |year = 2002 |title = Javanese English Dictionary |publisher = Periplus Editions |isbn = 0-7946-0000-X }} {{refend}}
===Further reading=== * Brandon, James (1970). ''On thrones of gold - three Javanese shadow plays''. Harvard University Press. * Keeler, Ward (1987). ''Javanese Shadow Plays, Javanese Selves''. Princeton University Press. * Keeler, Ward (1992). ''Javanese Shadow Puppets''. OUP. * Long, Roger (1982). ''Javanese shadow theatre: Movement and characterization in Ngayogyakarta wayang kulit''. Umi Research Press.
==External links== * [http://www.joglosemar.co.id/semar.html Indonesian site in English about Semar and the Punokawan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711201348/http://www.joglosemar.co.id/semar.html |date=2009-07-11 }} * [https://jakartaglobe.id/features/know-kurawas-pandawas-wayangs-origins-stories/ Do You Know Your Kurawas From Your Pandawas: Wayang's Origins Stories: Jakarta Globe]
Category:Wayang Category:Javanese mythology Category:Indonesian mythology