Tễu is an iconic character, a whimsical storyteller who will lead you through different scenes and stories as they unfold on stage. On both sides of the stage sit the musical ensemble who bring the stories to life using their voices and traditional instruments.Ī traditional show always starts with an introduction to Tễu, the comedic host. These pools are decorated with red tiered roofs, flags, and parasols to resemble an altar inside Vietnamese communal houses. Today in Vietnam, water puppet shows are not presented in flooded rice paddies but in pools of water. It takes decades to become a master water puppeteer. The puppeteers skillfully maneuver the puppet’s arms using bamboo sticks and strings. The puppeteers’ secret lies in the material of the puppets themselves, which are made of buoyant fig wood and painted with lacquer. Puppeteers stand in water throughout the show, and use the movement of the water to create drama, perfect the illusion, and tell a story. Múa rối nước is a physically demanding craft.
Many centuries later, water puppetry ( múa rối nước) still fascinates audiences, and is a cherished intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam. Under the reign of the Lý Dynasty in the 12th century, the country’s best water puppet troupes were chosen to entertain the king and guests, marking a new high for the art’s social status. Water puppetry as a folk art form evolved from serving everyday people to a show for royalty. The first shows were hosted in the harvested rice fields, which could be filled with water to create a watery stage. About one thousand years ago, water puppets were added to the list of performances at these festivals. Here’s a brief introduction to Vietnam’s wonderful water puppets.Įvery year during the annual rice harvest, farmers in Vietnam’s Red River Delta region would gather for folk singing and dancing at village festivals.
Watch scenes of village life on an ever-changing stage, learn about festivals and traditions, and get to know quirky characters inspired by Vietnamese personalities. Vietnam’s water puppetry opens a window into local culture, and is a fully realised art form enjoyed by young and old.
You don’t have to be a child to be entertained by water puppets.
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