Research plays a crucial role in safeguarding cultural heritage, particularly as traditional art forms face challenges from modernisation, changing lifestyles, and declining numbers of practitioners. Among Malaysia’s most distinctive cultural traditions is Wayang Kulit Kelantan, a traditional performing art that integrates storytelling, music, craftsmanship, performance and visual design. Recognising both its cultural significance and vulnerability, academic cum researcher Dr Fiona Wong E Chiong has led sustained efforts to document, preserve, and promote this heritage through research, education, and community engagement.

Academic Foundation

These initiatives originated from Dr Fiona’s doctoral research on Wayang Kulit Kelantan puppet design, conducted under the supervision of the late Professor Dato’ Dr Ghulam-Sarwar Yousof, one of Malaysia’s leading scholars of traditional performing arts. Her research explored the artistic, cultural, and symbolic significance of the art form and provided the foundation for subsequent preservation and outreach activities.

Community and Practitioner Engagement

Building on this research, Dr Fiona conducted talks and sharing sessions in English and Chinese at schools, universities, conferences, non-governmental organisations, and community groups. She also collaborated with traditional artisans through commissioned performances, puppet-making workshops, exhibitions, and public engagement programmes. These activities strengthened connections between practitioners, educational institutions, and wider communities while supporting knowledge transmission.

Waye Kito Festival 2025

A major outcome of this work was the Waye Kito: Wayang Kulit Kelantan Festival 2025, supported by the Yayasan Hasanah ArtsFAS Grant 2024 with funding of RM116,626. Held at Sunway University on 22–23 February 2025, the festival attracted approximately 1,200 visitors and featured performances, exhibitions, workshops, and educational activities. Led by Dr. Fiona and supported by fellow academics and university management, the event demonstrated how collaboration among universities, cultural practitioners, funding bodies, and local communities can revitalise traditional arts and enhance public appreciation of cultural heritage. 

Educational Impact

A key focus of the initiative has been transforming research into educational experiences. Through the History of Art and Design course of the BA (Hons) Design Communication programme, students analysed Wayang Kulit Kelantan puppet designs before creating their own puppets. In the Community Service for Planetary Health course, university students mentored children from Sunway Desa Mentari in producing and staging two original shadow-play performances using recycled materials. More recently, collaboration with students and teachers from Catholic High School Petaling Jaya resulted in a shadow-play animation project, demonstrating how traditional heritage can be reinterpreted through contemporary digital media

These initiatives encouraged younger generations to engage meaningfully with cultural heritage.

Knowledge Sharing and Creative Practice

Research findings were disseminated through conferences, symposiums, seminars, and public talks delivered at schools such as Kuen Cheng High School and institutions across Malaysia, including Malaysian Design Archive, Sarawak State Library, Hoan Gallery Kuching, Xiamen University Malaysia Library, to name but a few. Creative outputs also contributed to public engagement, including Wayang Kulit-inspired illustrations that received a Special Mention Award at ArtBeats 2025. Just recently, in August 2026, Dr Fiona served as a cultural commentator at the Penang Puppet Festival 2026, introducing Wayang Kulit Kelantan alongside other traditional puppetry forms to broader audiences, as well as conducting a puppet-making workshop—inspired by Wayang Kulit Kelantan—for young children at the festival.

International Outreach and Recognition

The impact of this research extended internationally through cultural exchange programmes. In 2023, Dr. Fiona was invited by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macau to present Wayang Kulit Kelantan as part of Belt and Road cultural exchange initiatives. In 2025, she delivered a lecture at Yunnan Arts University, China, promoting Malaysian cultural heritage and intercultural dialogue. Her research work on Wayang Kulit Kelantan also received media coverage in See Hua Daily News and Sin Chew Daily.

Significance and Future Impact

What began as doctoral research evolved into a sustained programme of educational activities, community projects, cultural festivals, artisan collaborations, creative productions, and public engagement initiatives. As a researcher, educator, advocate, and facilitator, Dr. Fiona has bridged academic knowledge and community practice, a contribution recognised through Sunway University’s Excellence in Research for Early Career Researchers Award 2025.

Despite the challenges facing Wayang Kulit Kelantan, continued efforts in research, education, public engagement, and practitioner support are essential to sustaining its cultural heritage and livelihoods. These efforts strengthen cultural identity and contribute to contribute to SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), highlighting the role of research in advancing cultural preservation, intercultural understanding, and sustainable cultural development.

Dr Fiona Wong E Chiong
School of Architecture and Design, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Email: @email