Entertainment from the shadows

Huazhou shadow puppetry is one of the oldest drama forms in China. It originated in the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) as a court play.

Liu Hua, 73, is head of the shadow puppetry troupe in Huazhou district of Weinan, Shaanxi province, and has been described as a walking encyclopedia of the art.

Shadow puppetry, or shadow play, is a drama form in which the puppeteer holds human figures created from animal hides which are used to cast shadows onto a curtain backlit.

It was very popular during the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties in many parts of China. Shadow puppets were first made of paper, and later from donkey or ox leather. That's why their Chinese name is pi ying, which means shadows of leather.

During a shadow puppet play, the puppets are controlled with thin sticks similar to chopsticks. They are moved behind a screen with a light behind them. The shadows of the puppets are shown on the screen and can be seen by the audience.

The subjects of puppet plays are often Chinese legends, battles and mythological creatures. A small band of musicians plays during the performance.

Huazhou shadow puppets are all hand-made, with intricate and exquisite sculptures and paintings on fine leather. They attract many collectors.

A group of Austrian journalists came to visit the Huazhou Shadow Puppetry Culture Park in September last year. They were amazed at the ancient art form and the music, Lao Qiang, a tradition of rousing, rhythmic, lusty folk singing and narration dubbed "ancient Chinese rock 'n' roll".

Fred Turnheim, president of the Austrian Journalists' Club, says the shows are as beautiful as any puppet shows to be seen in Vienna.

"I don't understand what they are singing but I understand their gestures and movements. It's beyond language," he says.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 01/27/2017 page4)