CHAPTER SIX
Concluding Remarks
The Ritual Aspect of Chinese Traditional Operas in South China
My Research Supervisor (Professor Daniel Overmyer) has urged me to keep pushing this
dissertation to the very end which is what he does with his books. Conclusions to a scholarly
work are always tentative. Their intent is not only to sum up one body of work but also to
suggest ways in which it can be futher developed. Thus, based on the three case studies
(Cantonese opera, and marionette theatre in both southwestern and central western Fujian) state
in previous chapters, I put forward three arguments, which are at the same time the conclusion of
this thesis. Besides the three case studies mentioned above, I also discuss the situations of
different kinds of regional opera in the south for the purpose of broadening the perspective of
this present study and laying the foundation of my futher work.
These arguments are as follows:
6.1. In south China religion and opera are closely associated with each other. Religious
activities are often accompanied by opera or puppet performances.
6.2. No single form of China traditional opera can be classified in terms of "either-or" cThe Literary-Ritual Continuum (Model) is applied to discuss the ritual elements of Chinese
traditional operas (both human and puppet), as well as to analyze the common religions of
professionals of these regional operas. The distribution of any given operatic genre along the
continuum varies according to time and place. Moreover, as mentioned in the Introduction, this
model also reveals that opera genres are xiongdi juzhong (brother opera genres) which closely
related to nanxi (southern operas). Hence, The common beliefs and practices of professionals of
regional operas (no matter literary or ritual) in south China are related to some extent. To
together with performing art, these beliefs were spread throughout China by opera troupes,
merchants, ethnic groups (such as Hakkas, the She people and Cantonese) and officials,
especially from the Song period onwards.
6.3. These beliefs and activities of professionals of opera genres reflect the ancient culture of
south China to some extent.
6.1. Religion and Opera
My first argument is that there is a close relationship between religious activities and the
performances of local operas and puppet plays. Many scholars, such as Wang Ch'iu-kuei and
Tanaka Issei, have already discussed this point. My thesis offers many cases or examples to
support their ideas. Nuo rites (Nuo plays or Nuo dances) and hundred games (Baixi), two of the