*Lufeng Shadow Play

60.*Lufeng Shadow Play

Nominating Unit: Lufeng Municipality, City of Shanwei

Lufeng Shadow Play is the only survival of Chaozhou shadow play, which belongs to the main three shadow plays in China. Lufeng Shadow Play troupe is the only professional shadow play troupe in Guangdong Province. Growing and developing among the people, Lufeng Shadow Play has the root of ancient Hokkien and is nurtured by the folk custom of Hailufeng District. Lufeng Shadow Play is featured by various music, heavy local flavor, delicate drawings and engraving and vivid performance. The whole play is rather pleasant to watch.(https://www.daowen.com)

Located along the Jieshi Bay of southeastern Guangdong Province, Lufeng Municipality connects Nanhai to the south and is adjacent to Hong Kong and Macao. Geographically between Shenzhen and Shantou the two economic zones, Lufeng Municipality enjoys convenient land and water transport. Lufeng Shadow Play is developed in this small city. It has a long history that can be traced back to the Song Dynasty when it first appeared. The prime time for Lufeng Shadow Play was in the Ming and the Qing Dynasties. And it became popular during the Republic of China. During the war times before the founding of PRC, shadow play troupe was still giving performances when troupes of other plays disbanded. This is a clear illustration of the popularity and strong vitality of shadow play. Lufeng Shadow Play restores its status and develops a lot in drawing, music, performance, limelight after the founding of PRC. It is deeply appreciated by its audience and especially by children. Now Lufeng Shadow Play is enlarging its performance area. Not only has it to several northern cities and counties as well as City of Guangzhou, but also to some cities and counties in Fujian Province. Since the year 1975, Lufeng Shadow Play troupe has given performances in Beijing several times. The performed plays such as Fighting the Evil Beast, Rooster and Snake, Race between Tortoise and Rabbit, Flying Apsaras, Cock Fighting and Crying by the Tower are well received by the public. As a traditional folk art form, Lufeng Shadow Play assumes high historic, artistic and educational value.

Lufeng Shadow Play was selected into the list of the first batch of state-level intangible cultural heritage in 2006.