Before television, there was Topeng! The ancient dance of Topeng is still widely performed in cultural ceremonies today. Topeng is masked dance where performers show up on stage as many characters including, the "Topeng Tua" or the elder aristocratic statesman, the comical servants or punakawan, the clown characters or the bondres, and the "Topeng Keras" or the minister. The performances are often based on historical events or stories of the past about clans and kingdoms, but modern performances include current events that reflect community life. The performances, which are a popular childhood past-time and a true favourite among children, also teach morality, laws and the right conduct to use through life. The dances are a deeply meaningful tool of communication and communities rely on these performances as a form of education. Topeng performances are generally seen in traditional ceremonies. All ceremonies are open the public and visitors may inquire with their local hosts for more details about attending a ceremony in your area.

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