Artistic Spirits
One of my favourite things to do as a child was to spend evenings with my grandmother at the Cantonese opera. The hypnotising colours, customs and sounds at the shows held me spellbound and I would always end up having a score of questions to ask towards the end of the show.
In this eye-opening episode, my childhood curiosity was finally quelled as I got to speak to seasoned opera performers to learn more comprehensively about their unusual practices.
Li Kim speaks to Master Berlin Yip, Troop Master of the Sun Foong Meng Cantonese Opera to learn more about the rituals and traditions of the Cantonese Opera
For starters, I learned that it has been an age-long practice in the Cantonese opera to leave the front-row seats unoccupied simply because the rightful audience of the show are deities and spirits, and not so much humans. Due to these spiritual links, there are a set of rules and rituals that must be followed in order to protect the performers from any untoward incidents. For instance, it is an obligatory act to offer prayers to Wah Kong Sifu – the highly respected guardian of the Cantonese opera. It is believed that only with his blessings can the show go on as swimmingly as planned. Other practices such as refraining from killing any living creature on site or fiddling with sacred prayer items are also religiously observed to ensure a successful show. Breaking these rules will undoubtedly cause a disruption to the show such as sickness, losing of one’s voice or even a merciless storm that could leave the stage mangled.
In spiritual performances of other cultures, similar sets of rituals can also be observed. As an example, prior to a classical Indian dance, the performer must seek permission and forgiveness from Bhuma Devi – the Hindu goddess representing Mother Earth, as well as other deities such as Nataraja and Jagannath to obtain their blessings to ensure an unruffled and orderly performance.
Li Kim tries on the traditional Cantonese Opera garb
To my surprise, contemporary spiritual dance is not exempted when it comes to appeasing the spirits at a show. In order to homogenise with the surrounding energies in foreign places, dancers would first perform a ritual, such as the burning of sage, to establish a connection with their environment.
In most spiritual performances around the world, such rituals are carried out to pay respect to the deities and spirits that are believed to be present on the day of the show. This practice has quickly evolved into a necessity as it further provides the performers with the much-needed concentration and a sense of security to help them pull off a victorious and successful performance.
Now, I finally understood why prayers are performed, seats are left empty and precautionary steps are meticulously taken throughout spiritual performances such as the Cantonese opera. Knowing that we are not the intended audience of the show, it would be wise for us to respect the rules that have been set out so we can play our part in making sure that the performance goes on unhindered.
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As far as I can remember, I’ve never been to opera such as this before as my whole family and relatives were not Buddhist back then.I didn’t know its story or culture. I remembered usually the men (with their children) will sit on the motorcycles while watching the show and I felt that actors’ make up was rather excessive. Definitely not to my liking. It’s quite scary though. I hated their super amplified sound back then as the noise of it really annoying especially when you’re excited to watch a good show coming up after the 8 o’clock news (last time there were no WiFi and etc. Most of the people relied on TV for entertainment).
Today, as a grown up, I’m not sure whether it’s serving it purpose as intended or otherwise, but definitely it’s part of “Chinese” culture that may has it value in preserving it. Thanks for that reminder of this culture as I don’t see it often nowadays. Not even during the 7month.
Thank you very much Li Kim for sharing your experience about Cantonese Opera with us. Although I never had the chance to watch Cantonese Opera is real life, but this is a very educational sharing. I sincerely appreciate your wonderful write up.???
Spiritual dance is common in every culture. Just that we all have our own way of presenting it. Chinese has a few types of opera, so Cantonese opera are played during festival such as the ulambana. This is a way of paying respect and creating harmony among all started long time ago. It’s also part of the very important practice in Chinese culture. We should preserved it well.
It is fascinating to learn about the Cantonese Opera and that there are many different Chinese operas. I did not know that the first three rows have to be empty for the unseen guests. In our discussion I was told that unfortunately, it seems that this art is getting more rare to find compared to older days.
What stands out for me is to have respect and to be aware that these beings are around and when we go to new places. This is practiced in many ways as we can see also by the Indian dancer and the modern dancer.
During my childhood, i watched all these opera every year together with my mother. Although i don’t fully understand the language but i still like to watch. My mother used to warm me that I must not running around because the spirits are around to catch children. i think this is just to control me not to move around. But i believe that the spirits are around because i have once saw the chair was moving by itself. Same as mentioned in the video, there will always has few rows that no one can sit and are for the spirits. The opera’s story is very interesting when i started to understand more and it educated public not to do bad things otherwise you will end with bad things, is about law of Karma, that is the opera story at my time. However, with all the modern technology, this performance is dying off because the younger generation have no more interest in this.
Since when i was a kid, i always saw these opera set up during Ullambana month, in Chinese culture we call ghost month, every time when I pass by these theater, what I see is not empty seat at the front 3 rows, but in fact the whole audience seats are empty and the stage is playing the show, I was curious and ask my mum why are they playing the show but no one is watching? As I always feel that these chinese operahs are very boring, so maybe other people are not interested to watch. After asking, my mum would ask me to keep quiet and quickly bring me away from the theater.. After left the place only she told me that it is not for human to watch, it is for the ghosts to watch. Immediately i keep quiet and never ask again.. lol
Now watching this video it gave me more knowledge and information about the purpose and the story of these Operah. Thank you Li Kim for making the interview available for us. ???
Traditions and cultures have been passed down by ancestors for generations. We might not fully understand but it should not stop us from following them, but when it comes to ceremonies that need to abuse or brutally kill animals then it shall be monitor and modify. Logically, no one wants to be suffer, be it a human being or an animal, then why suppress those that are weak?
At my very young age ( 5 – 6 years old ), my Uncle always brought me for Cantonese opera, at that time i just thought it’s just a dancing or just entertain people only.
From this article i realized the Cantonese opera not just for entertaining others. Thanks to Li Kim for the very details info regarding of Cantonese opera.
As far as I know about Chinese operas mostly held on special occasions such as Hungry Ghost and 9th God Festival. Chinese opera is a very classic performance on olden days. What caught me interesting about these skillful performers are their strong beliefs, their talents and perseverance.
The exposure of civilization caused many young generations not prone to this. It sad that this culture is not well preserved on this century. ?
As a child growing up in Penang in the 50s and early 60s, I attended many Chinese operas not because I liked them but because my grandmother, mother and aunt liked to see the performances. I always slept through the show because I didn’t understand the dance movements nor the words spoken. I guess that’s why until now I’m able to sleep when there’re noises and lights present. Then as an adult I learned that such traditional dances tell a story which is enacted out by the performers on stage. And now I also learn of the religious rituals, respect, do’s and dont’s before and during the shows that different cultures and traditions adhere to, thanks to this article.
This performing art is slowly dying off because not many younger people are interested to learn, and stage performances nowadays are replaced with modern music and girls in skimpy outfit.
There are many things related to nature and the universe that we may not see with the eye or we may not know nor understand but it’s always wise and safe to show respect and deference to these unknowns.
I always find spiritual dances intriguing. It’s unique in its own way and captivating with its vibrant colors and moves. It would be sad to see those culture get ‘lost’ thru time. Even now it is being replaced with modern songs and dances.
When I was younger, I remember asking my mum why are the front row seats empty and after knowing the reason, I did feel a bit scared knowing they are watching it among us and not only at the front rows.
It’s good that the culture of honoring and respecting the unseen beings before any of the performances as a sign of respect. For example, the Chinese movie production casts and workers also pray and ask for smooth production before starting any.
As far as I can remember the first time I encountered with Chinese Opera was during the 7th month of Hungry Ghost festival. As a culture/custom I was told that the first day of the performance is for the unseen being and we are not allow to sit on the chairs that placed in front of the stage. So all the the audiences will watch from far.
It’s interesting to know their belief/custom of these performer which relate to the unseen being as well as the nature of the environment. The ritual and code of conduct has been passed down generation after generation for peace and harmony be it for the performer as well as the environment. It’s a rich culture that has been preserved and we should have great respect on their belief.
May this art performance tradition continue to our future generation and more people appreciate and value them.
I never enjoyed Chinese opera. I used to be freaked out by their overdone make ups and would think they are ghosts roaming in dark corners, so it is not particularly an enjoyment for me to see one. Furthermore I can’t understand the singing which is most of the time used based on old classic languages. But in each part of opera or performance that I happened to walk pass, I do see some offerings being made for the spirits or land deity of the particular area to please them perhaps.
Even today, Chinese Opera are performed during the 7th “Hungry ghost” month to appease the roaming spirits and to entertain them. Normally such shows are performed at Taoist Temples. It is customary to leave the first row of seats free of human seating and specially reserved for the unseen guests.
It is interesting to also note that Chinese opera are performed after prayers to a Artistic spirits and same too for Indian Dancing.
I suppose it is good grounding for the performance to pay reverence to “Artistic Spirits” so that they have the confidence to perform their best at every show.
Thank you, Likim for this interesting information.
I have never sat through a Chinese Opera show before. My only brush with Chinese Opera was the movie ‘Farewell My Concubine’, the play was about a concubine who killed herself as her king was surrounded by enemy forces and was about to be overwhelmed. Maybe in the future I would be able to sit through an actual Chinese Opera session and understand it.
Thanks Li Kim for this interesting article. I remember from younger days during the ghost festivals, the Taoist associations will invite the Hokkien opera troupes to perform for the public. We had been warned by the elders to behave and that the first performance is for the unseen, Gods and spirits. It is only after this performance that the public can sit in audience. I heard that the artists have very strict code of conduct to keep especially in the role of Gods or Deities, so as to not offend the spirits or Gods, ie. once the full makeup is on, they must keep in good behaviour, no swearing, etc. Sad that all these traditional opera troupes are a dying profession and being replaced, sometimes by really gaudy performances.
A lot of the traditional ritual and rites had to do with paying respect to beings who share the same space with us, even though they are usually unseen. I guess it is no exception in the case with the artistic spirits. It is a way to remind ourselves that we are not the only being who reign over this realm. And even though other beings are unseen, they deserved respect and compassion too. In this way, we can establish mutual respect and avoid any unnecessary obstacles that arise because of our mindless action. Thank you, Li Kim, for this article.
Thanks Li Kim for sharing this article about Chinese Opera. I guess many shows or sports will always begin with a prayer in order to respect the deities and the unseen beings. We of course do not want any unforeseen things happen to us. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.
With folded palms,
Vivian
Reading this article has reminded me how beautiful the art of performing is and the many cultures that build age long traditions such as this Cantonese opera. However it is a shame that many of these cultures in China and other indigenous places are having these powerful and symbolic art diminish. One occurring in Malaysia especially is the art of the Lion dance where the number of youths showing an interest in participating have declined. As a 17 year old myself, I would be quite disappointed if these cultures just disappear as they not only act as a cultural identity for many groups but also as a way of giving us humans a chance to produce communities and character.
With the progression of time towards modernity, many traditional and cultural practices “die” away due to lack of apprentices to undertake to master the act of such performances. Such is the Cantonese opera.
It is quite sad as the elaborate performances of Chinese Opera is truly an art which amplifies the qualities of Chinese mastery in the art of singing and performance.
I hope that China who is becoming a world power will find it within their cultural heritage to revive this art.
Reading this articles reminds me of the opera shows during my childhood time in my housing area. Every year a temple near myhouse will organise prayers and a week of opera shows. And the same as what Li Kim found out, we are not allowed to sit on the first row as those are reserved seats for the spirits/deities.
It is interesting to find out that the performers have rules and rituals to follow before the show. This form of respects to the spirit/deities and the environment is to ensure a smooth performance.
Just as you have have discovered why seats are left empty at these Cantonese operas held at temples and such, so we are all informed here. I used to wonder why we had to carry the tall, heavy bench from our house to the temple grounds when there were seats, good seats at that, at the front of the stage!! Not forgetting that after the performances, we had to carry it home again. Oh, how we used to complain about it to our mother.
Thank you for clearing up something that left me confused and unhappy about what I had to do to get to the “free” opera when I was young.
Watching Cantonese opera ,was a form of entertainment early years back. I do watched when young as it was my mother’s favourite as she took me along.What i liked most it their beautiful costumes design anf the heavily make up. To attract more audiences, theatrical costumes were made very eye-catching.The design is determined by sex, role, personality, environment and occasion.
There are a set of rules and rituals, to protect the performers from any untoward incidents.To begin each opera ,there need to get the blessings from deities and spirits before performing.But nowadays its so much deference from those days opras
Many traditional styles,characteristics and customs of traditional Cantonese opera have been well preserved till today.
Thank you Phng Li Kim for these beautiful writeup.