Entertainment as ritual: the Post-Reform transformation of Hát bội in Southern Vietnam
Asian Education and Development Studies
ISSN: 2046-3162
Article publication date: 23 September 2019
Issue publication date: 6 January 2020
Abstract
Purpose
This article traces the transformation of hát bội, a form of traditional opera in Southern Vietnam, from its primary role as entertainment into a religious activity after the Reform (Đổi Mới) were enacted in 1986.
Design/methodology/approach
This research is based on ethnological fieldwork complemented by a review of historical documents and of the available literature on hát bội, cultural policies and on data collected from interviews with artists and spectators at the festival at the shrine to the Lady of the Realm.
Findings
Before 1986, hát bội was performed either as a stand-alone entertainment during the fair portion of community festivals or as part of religious ceremonies. The Reform and the accompanying relaxation of state control over religion and culture promoted the resurgence of popular religious fairs across the nation. New opportunities for hát bội to revive opened, artists left state-sponsored troupes to join private companies that catered to religious festivals. But almost exclusive involvement in religious rites has led to artistic stasis for private hát bội troupes.
Originality/value
This research constitutes novel insights of how the Reform in Vietnam affects the transformation of a traditional performance form.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Thanks are due to Professor Hue-Tam Ho Tai of the Harvard University and to Dr Nguyễn Thu Giang of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University at Hanoi) in the writing of this article. The author acknowledges the assistance of Mr Nguyễn Thanh Phong (Lecturer) and Ms Nguyễn Hồng Thuỷ (undergraduate student) both at the An Giang University during fieldwork. The fieldwork was partially funded by a grant from the Asia Center of Harvard University. Library research and consultations with Professor Tai were funded by the Harvard-Yenching Institute.
Publishers note: The publisher would like to inform readers that this article was mistakenly labelled as a regular paper instead of a special issue paper as part of a themed section called “Ethnicity, Ritual and Festivals in Asia”. This error was introduced as part of the editorial process, and the publisher sincerely apologizes for this error.
The following article was originally intended to publish as part of a themed section of AEDS 9.1 called “Ethnicity, Ritual and Festivals in Asia” guest edited by Professor Oscar Salemink and Dr Siuwoo Cheung:
Lan, N.T. (2019), “Entertainment as ritual: the Post-Reform transformation of Hát b⊚i in Southern Vietnam”, Asian Education and Development Studies, Vol. 9 No. 1, pp. 15-25. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEDS-01-2018-0012
Citation
Lan, N.T. (2020), "Entertainment as ritual: the Post-Reform transformation of
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited