Unique art of water puppetry of Vietnam
Water puppetry is one of the unique and long-standing folk art forms of Vietnam, deeply reflecting the cultural life, customs and souls of the Vietnamese people. Different from other puppetry forms, water puppetry combines an underwater stage with puppets skillfully controlled by artisans, creating lively and attractive performances. This article will explore the origin, development, and unique features of Vietnamese water puppetry.
1. The Origin of Water Puppetry
The art of water puppetry appeared during the Ly – Tran period (11th – 13th century) and is considered an indispensable part of the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people, especially in the Northern Delta. Water puppetry was initially performed during village and crop festivals, to pray for a bountiful harvest and to bring joy and laughter to the audience.
Traditional water puppetry stages are often set up on ponds or lakes, with the water serving as a backdrop for the puppets. The puppeteer stands behind a bamboo or wooden screen, using cables and rods to control the wooden puppets floating on the water. The stories told often revolve around rural life, folklore, and historical events and legends of the nation.
2. Unique Features of Water Puppetry
Water puppetry is a special art form of Vietnam with unique characteristics that are not found in any other form of puppetry in the world. The most prominent feature of water puppetry is the water stage, where the puppets are controlled on the water instead of on land like normal puppetry.
Water Stage
The water puppet stage is usually a small pond, 1-2 meters deep. A roof is built above the water, symbolizing the “water pavilion” – a traditional Vietnamese stilt house, where the artists hide to control the puppets. In front of the water pavilion is the performance space of the puppets, the water surface creates a lively stage, enhancing the visual effect and bringing a sense of closeness and connection with nature.
Puppets and Control Techniques
Puppets in water puppetry are usually made of wood and painted in bright colors. Each puppet is about 30-100cm high, simulating the image of people, animals or characters in legends and history. Artists use a system of rods and cables to control the puppets to move, dance, and perform complex movements on the water.
Puppetry requires skill and finesse from the artisan. Each puppet can be operated by 1-3 people at the same time, to ensure precise and lively movements. The artisans must stand underwater for hours, controlling the puppets in difficult conditions while still maintaining flexibility and rhythm.
3. Content and Themes in Water Puppetry
The content of water puppet shows often revolves around the daily life of rural people, fairy tales, historical legends and heroic figures in Vietnamese folklore. Here are some common themes in water puppetry:
Stories About Rural Life
Water puppetry often recreates the daily activities of Vietnamese people, from farming, plowing, herding buffalo, flying kites to traditional festivals such as village festivals and boat racing. These images not only reflect the beauty of Vietnamese rural culture but also bring closeness and familiarity to the audience.
Historical Legend
Many water puppet shows are inspired by historical legends, such as the story of Saint Giong fighting the An invaders, or the story of King Ly Thai To moving the capital to Thang Long. These stories are not only entertaining but also convey cultural, historical and educational values to the audience, especially the younger generation.
Funny Characters
In water puppetry, humorous characters like Uncle Teu often appear to bring laughter to the audience. Uncle Teu is a familiar character, symbolizing the image of the Vietnamese people as honest, simple but intelligent and quick-witted. With his wit and mischievousness, Uncle Teu often leads the story and interacts with the audience, creating a joyful and comfortable atmosphere for the performance.
4. The Development and Preservation of Water Puppetry Art
Nowadays, water puppetry is not only a cultural heritage of the Vietnamese people but also one of the typical art forms that attracts international tourists. From performances in the countryside, water puppetry has been raised to a higher level, performed at large theaters in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and abroad.
However, the preservation of water puppetry also faces many challenges. The number of artisans who can skillfully manipulate puppets is decreasing, and competition from modern forms of entertainment also affects the appeal of water puppetry. To preserve and develop this art, many preservation projects have been implemented, aiming to train a new generation of artisans and promote water puppetry to the world.
Vietnamese water puppetry
Vietnamese water puppetry is not only a unique art form but also a symbol of Vietnamese culture and spirit. With vivid folk tales, funny puppets and unique water stages, water puppetry has conquered the hearts of not only domestic people but also international tourists.
Preserving and promoting the art of water puppetry is an important task to preserve the national cultural identity and introduce this traditional beauty to the world. Come to water puppetry performances to experience and feel the sophistication and creativity of one of Vietnam's precious intangible cultural heritages.
