Aji Prasetya Wibawa, Agung Bella Putra Utama, Nurenzia Yannuar, Tom Hoogervorst
Wayang, the traditional Indonesian puppetry, offers a unique platform for Life-Based Learning (LBL) by integrating cultural heritage with educational practices. This chapter examines the multifaceted role of wayang in personal and leisure contexts, underscoring its significance beyond mere entertainment. Wayang, recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is an effective tool for teaching critical thinking, ethics, and social responsibility. The chapter provides an overview of wayang’s historical and cultural evolution, illustrating its educational potential in modern contexts. It explores the interactive nature of wayang performances, which engage audiences in moral lessons while promoting collaboration, creativity, and cultural appreciation. The chapter also emphasises the practical methods of incorporating wayang into educational frameworks, showcasing its relevance in formal and informal learning environments. By examining the symbolic and moral narratives embedded in wayang, the chapter demonstrates how this art form contributes to personal development, cross-cultural communication, and the preservation of cultural identities. Furthermore, the integration of wayang into modern digital media and educational platforms ensures its continued relevance for future generations. Through experiential learning, wayang fosters an understanding of cultural history, empathy, and the importance of ethical values. Ultimately, wayang exemplifies how traditional arts can be harnessed as powerful tools for Life-Based Learning, offering learners meaningful connections to their heritage and the broader world. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.
Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, Indonesia; Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, Indonesia; KITLV Leiden, Leiden, Netherlands
