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A Study on the Historical Origins and Artistic Form of Tengxian Rod Puppetry

Author(s)

Zhihua Yang1, Na Ma1, Yaqiong Wang2,*

Affiliation(s)

1College of Teacher Education, Wuzhou University, Wuzhou, Guangxi, China 2Music Academy, Guangzhou College of Technology and Business, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China *Corresponding Author

Abstract

Tengxian Rod Puppetry, a core branch of rod puppetry in Eastern Guangxi and a product of Lingnan's multi-ethnic cultural fusion, was inscribed on the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region-level intangible cultural heritage list in 2016. Based on field investigations and historical analysis, this paper systematically delineates the historical origins of Tengxian Rod Puppetry, positing its introduction to Tengxian from Yulin and Beiliu during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. It clearly outlines its distribution pattern across southern and northern Tengxian and its four-generation inheritance lineage. The study provides an in-depth analysis of its distinctive artistic characteristics, focusing on the portable performance format centered on a "2-3 person division of labor" and "manipulation from below" operation, the localized vocal system marked by "dialect recitative singing" and the core melodic tones "re, do, la," the repertoire transmission method characterized by "oral transmission and mental comprehension" and "improvised scenes," and the primitive puppet crafting technique represented by "blue wood carving" and the "six-step process." This research aims to systematically present the complete form and core value of Tengxian Rod Puppetry as a local folk art, establishing a solid academic foundation for confirming its cultural identity and informing subsequent conservation studies.

Keywords

Historical Origins; Artistic Characteristics; Performance Form; Vocal System; Puppet Craftsmanship

References

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