Guizhou local Dixi Opera, also known as Ground Opera, is a unique and ancient local opera in Guizhou, China.
History and Origin：Dixi Opera in Guizhou can be traced back to 1382 AC. It originated from the soldiers who were stationed in Guizhou after the "Transferring from the North to Conquer the South" in the early Ming Dynasty. These soldiers brought with them the cultural and artistic forms from their hometowns and combined them with the local folk customs and cultures, gradually forming the unique Dixi Opera.
Performance Characteristics
Performance Venue：As the name "Ground Opera" implies, the performance of Dixi Opera is usually carried out on a flat piece of ground, such as a village square or an open space in front of a temple. There is no need for a formal stage, and the audience can surround the performance area to watch.
Masks：One of the most prominent features of Dixi Opera is that the actors do not paint their faces but wear colorful masks carved of wood. There are five basic types of characters, including the civil official, the military official, the young general, the old general, and the female general. Each type has a wide variety of masks, and each opera usually uses 40 to 100 different masks.
Costumes and Props：The costumes of Dixi Opera are simple and rough, usually made of coarse cloth, and the colors are mainly red, yellow, and blue. The actors also wear cloth shoes and robes, with banners on their backs and weapons in their hands. The props mainly include weapons such as knives, guns, swords, and halberds, as well as some simple musical instruments such as drums and gongs.
Music and Rhythm：The performance of Dixi Opera is accompanied by a drum and a gong. The drummer is very important as he sets the tempo. The rhythm is simple and powerful, mainly composed of some simple drumbeats and gong sounds, which can create a strong atmosphere of war and excitement.
Dance Movements：The dance movements of Dixi Opera are simple and rough, mainly composed of some basic movements such as walking, running, jumping, and stabbing. These movements are mainly imitations of the actions of soldiers in battle, showing the heroic and valiant image of soldiers.
Themes and Contents：The subject matter of Dixi Opera is mainly based on historical stories and legends, such as "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", "History of the Sui and Tang Dynasties", "Journey to the West", and "Yang's General Family". These stories are all well-known among the people and are deeply loved by the audience. Through the performance of these stories, Dixi Opera not only entertains the audience but also spreads the traditional Chinese culture and values.
Functions and Values
Religious and Sacrificial Function：In the past, Dixi Opera was mainly used as a religious and sacrificial activity. People believed that through the performance of Dixi Opera, they could drive away bad luck, pray for good harvests, and protect the safety of the village and the people. Therefore, Dixi Opera was usually performed during important festivals and sacrificial activities.
Cultural Inheritance Function：Dixi Opera is an important carrier of Guizhou's local culture, which contains rich historical, cultural, and artistic values. Through the performance and inheritance of Dixi Opera, the traditional culture and values of Guizhou can be passed down from generation to generation and carried forward.
Artistic Appreciation Value：Dixi Opera has unique artistic charm and aesthetic value. Its masks, costumes, music, dance movements, and performance forms all show the unique artistic style and creativity of Guizhou's local culture, providing people with rich artistic enjoyment.
