Gaojia opera (simplified Chinese: 高甲戏; traditional Chinese: 高甲戲; pinyin: Gāojiǎ xì; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Ko-kah-hì / Kau-kah-hì) or Ko-kah opera is a form of Chinese opera that originated in Quanzhou, in the Hokkien (Min Nan)-speaking region of southern Fujian province, southeast China. It is famous for its various chou (clown) roles.[1] The form emerged at the end of the Ming dynasty. It was originally an improvised form that was part of a religious parade. The performances from these parades developed into Songjiang drama (宋江戏), which told stories about the character Songjiang from the Chinese classic Water Margin and featured acrobatics and a relatively simple plot. In the middle of the Qing dynasty, it absorbed the influences of Hui opera (徽戲), Beijing opera, and Yiyang music. All music accompanying Gaojia opera is in the style of southern China, and is also influenced by Liyuan opera.[2] In the Philippines, it is called "Kaoka" after Amoy Hokkien Chinese: 高甲戲; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Kau-kah-hì and is considered a dying tradition.[3]
References
edit- ^ People's Daily Online (2007). "Clowns of Gaojia Opera" (Web). People's Daily Online. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
- ^ Bill Brown (2007). "Xiamen Guide". Master Translation Service. Archived from the original (Web) on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
- ^ "Kaoka: a dying tradition?". GMA News Online: Public Affairs. February 15, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
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