Rama and the Worm: A performance-based approach to health promotion in rural Indonesia

Abstract

This chapter presents a discussion of Rama and the Worm: a new wayang kulit play composed as part of a health promotion campaign in rural Java, Indonesia. Drawing on theoretical foundations in applied ethnomusicology, this chapter describes how the project evolved from the initial concept through to a fully developed play manuscript, and reflects on the choices made in determining the shape, scale and thematic content of the performance. It also provides a discussion of the ways in which these choices either align with or depart from established practice in wayang kulit performance. In conclusion, the chapter proposes that Rama and the Worm provides an effective demonstration of how traditional performance practices can be effectively used to support health promotion in a rural context.