Anshun Dixi Opera

Dixi Opera is an ancient folk drama primarily popular in the Tunpu villages of Anshun City, Guizhou Province, hailed as “a living fossil of Chinese drama.” Originating in the early Ming Dynasty over six centuries ago, its emergence is closely tied to the military campaign “deploying northern troops to subdue the south” during the Hongwu era and the formation of Tunpu culture. As a theatrical form rooted in ancient military rituals, Dixi Opera integrates performance, worship, and entertainment. In 2006, it was included in the inaugural list of China's National Intangible Cultural Heritage, serving as living cultural material for studying drama, folklore, and history.

Dixi Opera possesses distinctive artistic characteristics. Performers, all local farmers, wear blue headscarves and battle skirts, adorned with intricately carved wooden masks (lianzi) resting on their foreheads. Wielding weapons like swords and spears, they perform in open-air arenas. The performances center on “singing” and “dancing” (martial combat). The singing employs the Yiyang style of narrative chant without instrumental accompaniment, punctuated by a single gong and drum, with one lead singer and a chorus. The martial movements are bold and rustic, depicting battles and combat. The plays exclusively depict the battle tales of loyal generals and virtuous ministers throughout history, such as the Xue Family Generals and the Yang Family Generals, celebrating the spirit of loyalty and devotion to the nation. Performances typically occur during the Spring Festival and the seventh lunar month, accompanied by rigorous rituals like the “opening of the box” and “closing of the box.” Currently, despite facing challenges in its transmission, this ancient art form is striving to revitalize itself through dynamic preservation methods, including bringing performances into schools and scenic areas.