Nuo Dance
01 · Historical Records
Punan ancient nuo, also called "Dashen Wang" (Great God figure), is an ancient form of nuo dance transmitted in Punan Town of Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province. "Dashen Wang" was at first a rite by which local residents welcomed the gods in competitive procession and expelled the demons of pestilence; later it gradually added the functions of welcoming auspiciousness, praying for blessings, thanking the gods and receiving good fortune, and developed into a traditional folk activity. Punan Town lies in the north of Xiangcheng District of Zhangzhou City; in ancient times it was a land-and-water transport hub on the lower reaches of the northern branch of the Jiulong River, with busy trade and thriving temple-fair activity, which provided the conditions for the transmission of "Dashen Wang". Punan Town has two "Dashen Wang" figures in all: one in the image of a seventh-rank county magistrate, the other in the image of an acolyte. In performance the dancer crawls inside the figure, lifts it on his shoulder, puts on a mask, and dances to the beat of the accompanying gong and drum.
02 · Core Techniques & Process
"Punan ancient nuo", transmitted in Punan Town of Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province, is also called "Dashen Wang" and is an ancient form of nuo dance. Punan Town has two "Dashen Wang" figures in all: one in the image of a seventh-rank county magistrate, the other in the image of an acolyte. A "Dashen Wang" figure is made by weaving bamboo strips into a drum-shaped bamboo frame and covering it with a garment embroidered with fine patterns. In performance the dancer crawls inside the figure, lifts it on his shoulder and puts on a mask; the "county magistrate" holds a placard reading "the nation prospers and the people live in peace" or "favourable weather and timely rain", the "acolyte" raises a fan, and they dance to the beat of the accompanying gong and drum, while a "big-head doll" hops about between the two of them. The dance movements of "Dashen Wang" are both exaggerated and comic. Punan's "Dashen Wang" was at first a rite by which local residents welcomed the gods in competitive procession and expelled the demons of pestilence; later it gradually added the functions of welcoming auspiciousness, praying for blessings, thanking the gods and receiving good fortune, and developed into a traditional folk activity. At New Year and other festivals, at major celebrations, and at sacrificial or folk events, performances of "Dashen Wang" can always be seen. Punan's "Dashen Wang" is basically identical in appearance, method of construction, form of performance and functional role to the "Dashen Wangzai" of the Yilan area of Taiwan.
The two great spirit puppets
Punan keeps two great spirit puppets, one a seventh-rank magistrate, the other a scholar's page, one grave and one comic.
The bamboo-frame construction
The figures are built from bamboo strips into a drum-shaped frame and covered with finely embroidered costume; the dancer climbs inside and carries it on the shoulders.
The placards of peace and timely weather
The magistrate carries a placard reading peace for the nation or timely wind and rain while the page holds a fan, the prayer for good fortune written onto the props.
The big-headed doll
A small figure hopping between magistrate and page, its oversized head contrasting with the great puppets and heightening the comedy.
The link with Yilan's great spirit puppets
Punan's figures match those of Yilan in look, making, performance and function, making them valuable evidence for the transmission of Nuo culture and Minnan-Taiwan folk belief.
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
Punan ancient nuo circulates with Punan Town of Xiangcheng District, Zhangzhou City, as its centre; performances of "Dashen Wang" can be seen at New Year and other festivals, at major celebrations, and at sacrificial or folk events, with a "big-head doll" hopping about between the county magistrate and the acolyte. Its "Dashen Wang" figure is woven from bamboo strips into a drum-shaped bamboo frame covered with a garment embroidered with fine patterns; the "county magistrate" holds a placard reading "the nation prospers and the people live in peace" or "favourable weather and timely rain", and the "acolyte" raises a fan. Punan's "Dashen Wang" is basically identical in appearance, method of construction, form of performance and functional role to the "Dashen Wangzai" of the Yilan area of Taiwan, and is an important clue for studying the origins and lines of transmission of folk belief shared by Fujian and Taiwan.
Other submitting regions for the same item: Nuo Dance · Nuo Dance · Nuo Dance · Nuo Dance · Nuo Dance · Nuo Dance · Nuo Dance · Nuo Dance · Nuo Dance · Nuo Dance · Nuo Dance.
04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
Punan's "Dashen Wang" is of great importance for studying China's nuo culture and the origins and lines of transmission of folk belief shared by Fujian and Taiwan.
05 · Associated Representative Bearers
Representative bearers recorded under this item, organized by national nomination batch:
- Luo Huiwu 02-0353
- Hu Zhenkun 02-0354
- Chengzhangqing 03-0911
- Peng Yingfang 03-0912
- Yu Yangfu 03-0913
- Fan Tinglu 03-0914
- Han Fulin 04-1557
- Wang Xuanzhi 04-1558
- Gong Maofa 04-1559
- Cheng Jinsheng 04-1560
- Wang Shunqing 05-2210
- Zhou Guoping 05-2211
- Yulinji 05-2212
- Banyongming
- Xiao Yiping
- Peng Qiusheng
06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography
Sources
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)
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