| Mua Roi Nuoc - Vietnamese Water Puppet |
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Mua Roi Nuoc or Water Puppet is a unique art which has it origin in the
delta of the Red river in the tenth century. The farmers in this region devised
a form of entertainment using what natural medium they can find in their
environment. In ancient times, the ponds and the rice paddies after harvest were
the stage for these impromptu shows. This art form is unique to North Vietnam
and only finds its way to the world stage in recent years as a result of the
normalized relation with the West. Today the Thang Long puppet troupe is the
most well known in Ha Noi.
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Modern, water puppetry is performed in a pool of water with the water
surface being the stage. The puppeteers stand behind a screen and control the
puppets using long bamboo rods and string mechanism hidden beneath the water
surface. The puppets are carved out of wood and often weigh up to 15 kg. A
traditional Vietnamese orchestra provides background music accompaniment.
Singers of Cheo (a form of opera) with origin in north Vietnam sing songs which
tell the story being acted out by the puppets.
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The theme of the skits is rural and has a strong reference to
Vietnamese folklore. It tells of day-to-day living in rural Vietnam and
Vietnamese folk tales that are told by grandparents to their grandchildren.
Stories of the harvest, of fishing and of festivals are highlighted. Legends and
national history are also told through short skits. Many of the skits, especially
those involving the tales of day-to-day living, often have a humorous twist.
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