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Puppetry

Ⅳ-92Traditional OperaJiangshan, ZhejiangBatch 3 (2011)Extension Item

01 · Historical Records

According to handwritten scripts and local oral tradition, the puppetry here is marionette puppetry, introduced from Jiangxi in the Ming and transmitted through eighteen generations of master-disciple teaching; the troupes long remained active along the Xianxia ancient road in the border mountains of Zhejiang, Fujian and Jiangxi, and were locally called the “ancestor of opera”.

02 · Core Techniques & Process

Nianbadu is a famous town in western Zhejiang, long known as the “throat of Fujian” and the “key of the Feng creek”. Before liberation Nianbadu puppet troupes were active in the Xianxia mountains on the Zhejiang-Fujian-Jiangxi border, called the “ancestor of opera”. Nianbadu puppetry is of long standing and preserves some Ming and Qing puppet heads and props, handwritten traditional scripts and the lingering resonance of Yiyang high-pitched tunes, of great significance and value for studying ancient dramatic forms, performance art, vocal music, theatrical custom and the history of drama. Its popular plays include Qingguan Ce, Jiulong Gukou and Po Hong.

Qingguan Ce (The Register of Upright Officials)

A popular play of Nianbadu puppetry.

Jiulong Gukou (Nine Dragons Pass)

A popular play of Nianbadu puppetry.

Po Hong (Breaking Through Hongzhou)

A popular play of Nianbadu puppetry.

The Lingering Resonance of Yiyang High-Pitched Tunes

Nianbadu puppetry preserves Ming-Qing puppet heads and props, handwritten traditional scripts and the lingering resonance of Yiyang high-pitched tunes, of great value for studying ancient dramatic forms and vocal music.

03 · Regional Records & Related Items

Nianbadu puppetry centres on Nianbadu town in Jiangshan city, Zhejiang, and circulates in the counties of the Xianxia mountains on the Zhejiang-Fujian-Jiangxi border; because it stands at a three-province crossroads, its repertory and vocal music embrace both the lingering resonance of Yiyang high-pitched tunes and elements of Zhejiang, Fujian and Jiangxi folk opera, transmitted generation by generation through master-disciple teaching.

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04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding

At present only one puppet troupe remains on the Zhejiang-Fujian-Jiangxi border, its artists past seventy, few young people learning the art and successors lacking, so that it is on the verge of extinction. To better rescue and protect this fine ethnic and folk art the local government has decided to increase investment, publicity and protection for Nianbadu puppetry over the next five years so that this ancient folk art may continue to be transmitted and developed.

05 · Associated Representative Bearers

Representative bearers recorded under this item, organized by national nomination batch:

06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography

  1. Puppetry (Jiangshan, Zhejiang) · China ICH Official Project Archive
  2. Jin Zonghuai · National Representative Bearer Archive

Sources

China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)

Read the official ihchina.cn record ↗

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