Dance & Marionet
Here’s an overview of Myanmar Dance and Marionette (Yoke Thé), both essential parts of Myanmar’s cultural and artistic identity:
Myanmar Traditional Dance
Myanmar traditional dance is known for its graceful movements, expressive gestures, and close connection to music, religion, and royal court culture.
Types of Traditional Dances
Royal Court Dances
- Performed by trained dancers in royal palaces.
- Elegant and slow movements with mudras (hand signs) and facial expressions.
- Includes:
- U Shwe Yoe & Daw Moe (comic dance)
- Royal Duet Dance (Mintha and Minthamee)
- Zawgyi Dance (alchemist-sorcerer character)
- Nat Dance (spirit worship ritual)
Folk Dances
- Performed during village festivals and harvest celebrations.
- More rhythmic and energetic than court dances.
- Often involve drums, clapping, and group participation.
Spirit (Nat) Dances
- Part of Nat Pwe (spirit ceremonies).
- Dancer may dress as a Nat and "possess" the spirit’s character.
- Accompanied by traditional music and chanting.
Character Dances and Animal Dances
- Elephant Dance: Two performers inside an elephant costume.
- Deity and demon dances: From Jataka tales or myths.
- Yamayana ZatTaw: Burmese version of Ramayana and Dasaratha Jataka.
- The Kinnara and Kinnari Dance One of Myanmar’s traditional performance well known for their strong bond and eternal love. Especially popular in Shan State, Myanmar. Performed wearing very pretty and colorful Costume.
- Elephant Dance and buffalo dance: Traditional Myanmar dances, two performers performed inside the costume.
Marionette Theater – Yoke Thé
What is Yoke Thé?
- Traditional string puppetry unique to Myanmar.
- Each puppet is controlled by up to 18 strings, making them highly expressive.
- Characters include kings, princesses, clowns, spirits, animals, and Buddha.
- Zawgyi – Magic-wielding alchemist.
- Hermit, Nat spirits, Monkey generals, Tigers, and more.
- Each puppet represents moral stories, often from the Jataka tales.
- Accompanied by live traditional music (Hsaing Waing ensemble).
- Includes dialogue, song, dance, and comedy.
- Narrators provide voices while puppeteers manipulate strings above the stage.
- Popular during the Konbaung Dynasty (18th – 19th century).
- Once used to educate the public on religion, history, and ethics.
- Later became popular entertainment in towns and villages.
