Page 64 - Life_In_Naples_December_2018

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Guizhou’s Di Opera

(Ground Opera)
Farmers, Warriors and Dancers

by Ron McGinty
it back, relax and enjoy your seat in my performers are wielding
time machine back to the 14th century wood swords while
during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644); singing ancient folk
Sthe armed forces of North China are stories. Their ritual is
entering Guizhou. The local farmers are preparing full of passion and
for the invasion by amassing arrows and spears pulsates with long,
in their homes. Their arsenals are stacked loud, booming voices.
meticulously with care under the small twelve- It is a sacred ceremony
inch holes in the stone walls of their homes. of the warriors of
The holes make it possible to kill their enemies Guizhou, to entertain
by shooting arrows and spears into the narrow the gods and ask for triumph in battle.
alleyways. In the center of the village is the high The dancers wear elaborate masks carved of wood,
command tower to keep the farmers aware of dress in cloth shoes and robes, with banners
the advancing armies. It was considered suicide on their backs and weapons in their hands. The
to enter into the stone village. As a part of their opera is known as the Living Fossil of Chinese
preparations, the Old Huns would first dance and Drama. Today, people play the Di Opera for both
sing to the rhythms of gongs and drums. The exercising and entertainment. One can see and

64 Life in Naples | December 2018