Fujian Puppetry (木偶剧) in Need of Urgent Safeguarding
As one of the contributions of Chinese performing art to the world's cultural heritage (遗产), Fujian puppetry has a long history. It has developed a set of characteristic techniques of performance and puppet making, as well as plays and music.
No final conclusions have yet been reached on the origins and evolution of Chinese puppetry. Dating from Shang dynasty, pottery figurines (陶俑) used as burial objects have been discovered at the Yin Ruins. In a Western Han tomb at Mawangdui in Changsha, Hunan Province, a number of wooden figurines have been unearthed. These were a great improvement on those from previous dynasties in terms of craftsmanship, variety and modeling. Over time, figurines as burial objects evolved into puppets for entertainment on festive occasions.
Chinese puppetry further developed during the Ming and Qing dynasties, with a bunch of schools spreading across the country. Puppet shows from various places had their own characteristics in terms of figure modeling.
In the past few decades, many traditional forms of art have seen a decline in popularity. In particular, Fujian puppetry finds itself in hot water. The number of young people learning puppetry has decreased due to socioeconomic changes to their lifestyles. The long period of training required to master the complicated performing techniques has also been a factor in the fall.
In response, concerned communities, groups and bearers laid down the 2008-2020 Strategy for the Training of Coming Generations of Fujian Puppetry Practitioners. The key objectives are to safeguard the promotion of Fujian Puppetry and to increase its sustainability through professional training to cultivate a new generation of puppetry practitioners; creation of teaching materials; construction of training institutes and exhibition halls; regional and international cooperation; and artistic exchange.
In 2012, the strategy was added to the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices by the UNESCO. With great efforts made by practitioners, local people and education institutions, Fujian Puppetry can expect a brighter future.
