Mini Project 1 - Grp 2 (Water Puppets) by CHOONG YUN WEI

2002578i1 — 2021-05-01 09:40:34 UTC

_{https://e.vnexpress.net/news/life/tourism-keeps-vietnam-s-ancient-water-puppets-afloat-3761556.html}

Origin and Significance

2002578i1 — 2021-05-01 09:57:03 UTC

- Origin: Villages of the Red River Delta area of Northern Vietnam in the 10th century
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Rice paddies/fields
- Entertain family and locals

The water aspect of it holds high importance:
1. Nourishment
2. Symbolizes rebirth
3. Connection to heritage.

The rice aspect of it:
1. Vital part of rituals
2. Good social relations through rice spirits

Description

2001918h — 2021-05-03 03:00:52 UTC

- Manipulation of detailed figures made of lacquered wood using bamboo poles or track mechanisms
- Waist-deep in the pool’s water
- Hidden behind a temple-like façade covered with a bamboo screen in their staging house
- Vietnamese orchestra provides background music accompaniment.
- Their performance extends elements from the rich tradition of Phuong
- Phuong: secret societies of village puppeteers who cultivated this art in the Red River Delta to celebrate temple and village festivals

How it works

2001918h — 2021-05-03 03:57:58 UTC

The Development

2000033g1 — 2021-05-03 05:34:16 UTC

- Started in northern region, spread across Vietnam (expansion) --> popular form of entertainment

Past: Shows did not have music
Now: Shows are accompanied by an orchestra with narration

Past: art form taken very seriously, secrets kept within family
Now: puppeteers train 3 years before performing, methods still remain a secret

Past: puppets could only do simple actions
Now: New ideas, techniques (steel-wielding, pulleys) --> easy to control --> better performances

Water puppets can move delicately like ballet dancers

2000033g1 — 2021-05-03 08:45:33 UTC

_{^{https://photo-cms-vovworld.zadn.vn/w730/uploaded/vovworld/asfzyrvslys/2016_06_10/water%20puppets%20move%20dedicately%20like%20ballet%20dancers_thanglongwaterpuppet_copy.jpg}}

Challenges (1)

2002076d1 — 2021-05-03 14:05:38 UTC

Cultural continuity of Chèo music in water puppetry shows.

Why?
- Very important factor
- Allows audiences to feel the emotions brought about in the performances
- Sense of connection to the story and characters
- Increases the overall amount of excitement and drama
- Maintain popularity in Northern Vietnam

How?
1) Conservation
2) Restoration
3) Adaptation
4) New composition

Producers and Consumers

2001621h1 — 2021-05-03 16:47:57 UTC

- Initially performed by farmers to entertain families
- Nowadays, performed by trained professionals in theatres and during festive occasions

How can this art form be preserved? (future prospects)

2002076d1 — 2021-05-03 16:58:33 UTC

Conservation:
1) Performance components
2) Presentation
3) Public relations and Advertising
4) Performance times and Events

Performers

2001621h1 — 2021-05-03 17:06:15 UTC

- Only performed by male farmers in the past
- Now accompanied by music and singing
- The puppets, music, singing and visual effects create a beautiful show

Audience

2001621h1 — 2021-05-03 17:08:42 UTC

- In the past consisted of families and locals of the village
- Now people travel from all over the world to Vietnam
- Although there is a language barrier, the dancing puppets along with the music and various effects create a performance that is still enjoyable

Example: Water Puppet Show in Hanoi, Vietnam (Short video)

2001621h1 — 2021-05-03 17:24:39 UTC

Challenges (2)

2002076d1 — 2021-05-04 00:38:08 UTC

Health risks faced by puppeteers.

What?
- Performance stages are natural bodies of water
- Puppeteers have to stand waist-deep in the water for prolonged periods of time
- Endure water-borne diseases, rheumatism, leeches etc.
- Likely to catch colds, fall ill, get hypothermia

How to prevent/minimize risks?

- Puppeteers drank fermented nước mắm ("fish sauce")

- First clothing layer: Wet suits

The stories told currently:

2002578i1 — 2021-05-12 07:13:25 UTC

- life of a typical Vietnamese rice farmer
- importance of good deeds and moral behaviour
- strengthen nationalism.
- affirmation of stability and prosperity

References

2000033g1 — 2021-05-17 10:55:28 UTC

AFP. (2019, February 11). Tourism keeps Vietnam's ancient water puppets afloat - VnExpress International. VnExpress International – Latest news, business, travel and analysis from Vietnam. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/life/tourism-keeps-vietnam-s-ancient-water-puppets-afloat-3761556.html.

Foley, K., and Violette, M. (2021). Water Puppets. [online] World Encyclopedia of Puppetry Arts. Available at: [Accessed 18 May 2021].

Gregory, K. (2020). A Brief History of Hanoi's Water Puppet Theatre. Culture Trip. Retrieved 17 May 2021, from https://theculturetrip.com/asia/vietnam/articles/a-brief-history-of-hanois-water-puppet-theatre/.

Gaboriault, Derek. (2009). "Vietnamese Water Puppet Theatre: A Look Through The Ages" . Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects. Paper 205.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/stu_hon_theses/205

Ha, N. (2016). Vietnamese water puppet’s design and manipulation. THE VOICE OF VIETNAM. Retrieved 17 May 2021, from https://vovworld.vn/en-US/sunday-show/vietnamese-water-puppets-design-and-manipulation-444279.vov.

Hyde, Amanda, K. (2018), "Vietnamese Water Puppetry: The Practical Development of the Structure and Form" . Honors Senior Theses/Projects. 155. https://digitalcommons.wou.edu/honors_theses/155

Mandal, A. (n.d.). Explore the Unique Vietnamese Art of Water puppetry!. Holidify.com. Retrieved 17 May 2021, from https://www.holidify.com/pages/water-puppetry-in-vietnam-1108.html.

Prateepchuang, S., Leauboonshoo, S., & Thang, T. N. (2016). The Musical Heritage of Water Puppet Performances in Hanoi, Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Wacana Seni Journal of Arts Discourse, 15, 95–112. https://doi.org/10.21315/ws2016.15.4

Phillips, R. (1999, February 5). A glimpse of the cultural life and times of ancient Vietnam. World Socialist Web Site. https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/1999/02/viet-f05.html.

Viator Travel. (2019, November 1). Water Puppet Show in Hanoi, Vietnam [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/DwxylOqL2ZU