Abstract
Operas and puppet plays have long been performed both to entertain gods and people,
and to thank the gods for renewing the life forces of the community. Such performances are
carried out all over China. With special attention devoted to the religious dimensions of
Cantonese opera in Hong Kong and marionette theatre in western Fujian, this Ph.D. thesis is a
preliminary attempt to examine the religious traditions of regional operas in south China.
Supplemented by some written sources, the present study is based on face-to-face interviews
with actors and puppeteers, as well as direct observations of their religious practices.
The first research aim is to discuss the inseparable relationship between traditional opera
and religion in China (especially the southeastern part) from the ancient periods up to the present.
Important or auspicious occasions are often accompanied by puppet or/and opera performances.
The second aim is to examine the beliefs and practices of actors of regional operas in south
China, especially Cantonese opera players and marionettists in western Fujian, with special
attention devoted to the birthday celebrations their main occupational deities. It is important to
point out that no single forms of Chinese traditional opera can be classified in terms of "either-
or" categories. The question is a matter of degree. Traditional literary operas contain some
religious elements and ritual operas also include some literary or artistic elements. There are
neither absolute traditional literary operas nor absolute ritual operas in China.