Shadow figures are widely used in the traditional theaters of Java, Bali, and Thailand. The shadow theater of Southern Thailand, known as the Nang, recites tales of the gods and contemporary people through stories of love, current events, and tradition. The shadow puppets used in the Nang represent the norms and mores of Thai society. Themes commonly seen in Nang performances include family conflict, fantastic adventures of a wandering hero, star-crossed lovers and romantic tales, hermits teaching magic to their apprentices, and abandoned children seeking lost loved ones. The Nang attempts to relay to the audience the importance of Thai values and ideologies in a changing world, however, the mystical and historical events remain fundamental in all performances. The association with karma (all actions have equal reactions) and the underlying message of rewards and punishments act as allegories for Buddhist morality and philosophy. The Nang remains one of Thailand's most essential traditions, particularly on the eastern coast, and is usually performed during the country's dry season (February to August).

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