Where did rod puppets come from?

Rod puppets have origins that can be traced back to various ancient cultures, including those in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Notably, they are closely associated with traditional forms of puppetry in Indonesia, such as wayang kulit (shadow puppetry) and wayang golek (wooden rod puppets). These puppets were historically used for storytelling and religious rituals. Over time, rod puppetry evolved and spread globally, influencing various theatrical traditions.