Hello everyone! First, I’d like to ask if any of you have ever seen water puppetry? This unique cultural art form is something we can be proud of, as Vietnam is the only country that still preserves and develops this art. Water puppetry has long been associated with the lives of farmers and the rice culture. In today’s Spotlight, we will explore the "Thuy Dinh" and the art of water puppetry.
Puppetry is an ancient art form found in many countries worldwide. Evidence of it dates back to the 5th century BC in ancient Greece. This art originated from performances using puppets on stage. Based on the performance setting, puppetry is divided into two types: dry puppetry and water puppetry. The combination of puppets and water gives rise to the unique name of this art form.
Like all theater forms, water puppetry requires a performance space, known as "Thuy Dinh". This unique stage contributes to the distinctiveness of Vietnamese water puppetry. It is constructed in the middle of a pond, resembling traditional village temples in Vietnam, adorned with flags, fans, elephants, and umbrellas, creating a lively and captivating atmosphere.
The puppets are crucial for conveying stories and dramas to the audience. Under the skilled hands of artisans, each piece of wood and carving is brought to life, creating a diverse and vibrant array of puppets. To the artisans, no puppet is considered defective; each puppet possesses its own unique traits and personality. Fueled by passion and love for their craft, these artisans truly humanize and express character through each tale.
Some characters have become icons in water puppetry, notably "Chu Teu," a representative figure of this art in Vietnam. Even if you’ve never seen water puppetry, you might recognize "Chu Teu". He is typically larger than other puppets, characterized by peach-shaped hair, representing a boy of about seven or eight years old. "Chu Teu" is round, with rosy skin and a bright smile, often depicted in a loincloth, showcasing a round belly, with playful gestures that engage the audience. He appears in many artistic works. Alongside "Chu Teu", the range of characters in water puppetry reflects all aspects of life and spirituality, including deities (the Eight Immortals), mythical creatures (dragon, lion, turtle, phoenix), national heroes, and familiar scenes from traditional Vietnamese rural life (like buffaloes, chickens, and farming tools).
As Vietnamese, we feel proud and grateful to the artisans who have preserved and developed the wonderful art of water puppetry. There’s so much more we want to share with you, but due to space constraints, we can’t cover everything. Therefore, we’ve decided to continue this story in The Scourge, our creative endeavor. In The Scourge, water puppets are an essential and recurring element throughout the game. Let’s take a look at some images of water puppetry in the game. Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts with us! Thank you all ❤
Additionally, we’ve received questions like, “Why is there water puppetry in a game set in Southern Vietnam?” and “Why does the child speak in a Southern accent but call his father ‘bố’?” These details are not random; they are closely related to the game’s storyline and context.
To better understand the connections between these elements, stay tuned for the release of The Scourge this October! Many surprises and exciting discoveries await you.
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