Jogja Disability Arts | Nano Warsono, Sukri Budi Dharma, Bernard Wora Wari, Eri Saktiawan, Budi Jepara, Robby Agus

For centuries, people with disabilities have been significant figures in Indonesian stories and histories. In wayang stories, the Punakawan were court servants who provided princes and warriors with protection, advice, and support. After the Mataram kingdom split into the Yogyakarta Sultanate and the Surakarta Principality in 1755, people with disabilities continued to play important roles in the courts. 

The Babad Diponegoro, the autobiographical chronicle of Prince Diponegoro (1785-1855), highlights the privileged status of his Abdi Dalem Polowijan, court servants who were often people of short stature, with albinism, hunchbacks, or other disabilities. They were considered magical protectors and experts in politics, warfare, medicine, and vision and dream interpretation. 

Notable Polowijan like Banteng Wareng (ca. 1810-58), a ‘mischievous young rogue and a dwarf’ in Diponegoro’s words, and Joyo Suroto were not just jesters but also key war strategists, political advisors, and guardians for Diponegoro’s children during his exile. The role of these individuals in the Java War (1825-1830) is visualized in this installation and is based on Peter Carey’s book The Power of Prophecy: Prince Dipanagara and the End of the Old Order in Java, 1785-1855  using the Wayang Beber style.