Published: 09:59, May 5, 2024
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Keeping a tradition alive
By China Daily
Zhou Hao looks at the mask for the character of Zhang Fei. (ZI YU / ZHAI JIAN / GAO WEI / FOR CHINA DAILY)

Guansuo Opera is a type of ancient Nuo play that is popular in the Chengjiang county of Yunnan province. The opera showcases the character of Shu during the Three Kingdoms period. Zhou Ruwen has played the part of this character for more than 30 years now. Over the past decades, Zhou and his family, including his grandson Zhou Hao, are doing their most to keep this ancient tradition alive, taking part in the opera at different places. Zhou feels it is his responsibility to keep the intangible cultural heritage of Guansuo Opera alive.

Zhou Ruwen and his grandson Zhou Hao rehearse for the opera in the open. (ZI YU / ZHAI JIAN / GAO WEI / FOR CHINA DAILY)
Zhou Hao rehearses for the opera in the open. (ZI YU / ZHAI JIAN / GAO WEI / FOR CHINA DAILY)
Guansuo Opera troupe members from Xiaotun village rehearse on the Lingfeng temple grounds. (ZI YU / ZHAI JIAN / GAO WEI / FOR CHINA DAILY)
Zhou Hao picks up the nuances of martial arts from his grandfather Zhou Ruwen at the Lingfeng temple grounds. (ZI YU / ZHAI JIAN / GAO WEI / FOR CHINA DAILY)
Zhou Hao puts on his mask, as he gets into the character of Zhang Fei. (ZI YU / ZHAI JIAN / GAO WEI / FOR CHINA DAILY)
Zhou Ruwen and Zhou Hao practice their lines from the opera. (ZI YU / ZHAI JIAN / GAO WEI / FOR CHINA DAILY)
Zhou Hao looks at a mask on the Lingfeng temple grounds. (ZI YU / ZHAI JIAN / GAO WEI / FOR CHINA DAILY)
Guansuo Opera performers relax after the performance. (ZI YU / ZHAI JIAN / GAO WEI / FOR CHINA DAILY)