MAPEH - Arts

Quarter 4 – Week 5-8:

Festival and Theater Arts
of China, Japan, Indonesia,
and Thailand
 Learning Activity Sheets Arts 8

Name:______________________Grade:_____________Date:________

I. Background Information

CHINESE PEKING OPERA

Peking opera is a traditional theater art form of China. It is based on Chinese
history; folklore and contemplorary life. The two main melodies used are xipi and
erhuang. The characters performing are Sheng, the male role and Dan, the female
role. Jing is painted face male role, and Chou the male clown. The performers utilize
four main skills such as, song speech, dance acting, and combat. The highest aim is
to put beauty into every motion that is why they determined conventions of
movements. Musicians are visible in front of the stage. Whip, fans, and ore
commonly used as props of the play.

CHINES SPRING/NEW YEAR FESTIVAL

Spring festival is also known as Chinese New Year. It is the most important
tradition Chinese holiday. Chines families gather for the annual reunion dinner
known as “Eve of Passing Year” and end the night with firecrackers to drive away
bad luck so that good fortune, happiness, wealth, and longevity enter their homes.
The colorful dragon dancing on the streets accompanied by playing of the drums are
also part of the celebration.

JAPAN’S KABUKI THEATER

Kabuki is a traditional Japanese drama with highly stylized song, mime, and
dance performed only by male actors. It was performed in full-day time

JAPAN’S TAIKO DRUM FESTIVAL

Kodo is a professional taiko drumming troupe. Musical pieces are based on
traditional rhythm of regional Japan. Uchite, the taiko drummer, can wear loose
fitting happi (short coat), with an obi. Peasant events such as the rice harvests or
dance festivals were celebrated with drums.

INDONESIA’S WAYANG KULIT PUPPET SHOW

The art of Indonesia is permeated by a strong Hindu-Buddhist tradition due to
the migration of Indian culture. Wayang Kulit is an ancient Indonesian art of shadow
play. Lacy shadow images are projected on a linen screen with a coconut oil lamp or
electric lamp. The dalang or shadow artist manipulates carved leather figures
between the lamp and the screen to bring the shadows to life.

INDONESIA’S BALI DANCE FESTIVAL

Balines dances are a very ancient dance tradition that is part of the religious
and artistic expression. In Bali, there are various categories of dance such as the
omnipresent Mahabharata and Ramayana. Balinese dance movement is accompanied
by the gamelan, a musical ensemble. Multiple levels of articulations in the face, eyes,
hands, arms, hips and feet are dominant in Bali dance.

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THAILAND’S NANG PUPPET SHOW
Shadow puppetry is one form of public entertainment in the south of Thailand.
The shadow theater is sometimes called Nang Yai or Nang Thalung. The
performance are normally accompanied by a combination of songs and chants.
Each shadow play figure is made from raw cowhide that has been dried and then
cut into linen. The characters, such as gods and goddesses, kings and queens,
magical figures and comedians, have a religious theme or contained an episode
from the Ramayana epic.

THAILAND’S SKY LANTERN FESTIVAL (YI PENG)

Thailand is the only country in Asia that was not conquered by western
people. It was formerly called Siam. Thailand’s sky lantern is known as Yi Peng or
Khom Fai usully held on a full moon of the 2nd month of the Lanna lunar calendar.
People usually make khom loi from a thin fabric, such as rice, paper, to which a
candle of fuel cell is attached. It is considered good luck to release a sky lantern,
and many Thais believes these are symbolic of problems and worries floating away.

THAILAND’S LOI KRATHONG FESTIVAL

Loi literally means “to float” while krathong refers to the “lotus-shaped
receptacle” which can float on water. The festival is believed to originate in an
ancient practice of paying respect to the spirit of waters.

II. Learning Competency

-Explains what make each of the Asian Festivals and Theatrical Forms unique
-Designs the visual elements and components of the selected festival or
theatrical form
through costumes props, etc.
-Analyzes the uniqueness of each group’s performance of their selected
festival or theatrical
form
-Shows the relationship of the selected Asian festival Asian festival and the
festival in the
Phillipines in terms of form and reason for holding the celebration.

III. Activities

Activity 1
Choose the best answer. Write the letter in the blank.
_____1.Traditional Chinese dance usually seen during the Chinese New Year
celebration. This dance is based on a mythical creature believed by the Chinese
people.
a. Dragon dance c. Snake dance
b. Lion dance d. Bali dance

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_____2.The dragon dance team _____________the movements of the river spirit in
the flowing, rise and fall manner.
a. pantomine c. mimics
b. tableau d. sings
_____3.The Chinese people believe that performing the lion and dragon dances
______________.
a. makes the country more wealthy
b. drives badluck and evil spirits away
c. tells the people to reconcile
d. makes the people more healthy
_____4.Men and children usually wear ___________ every Chines New Year or
Spring Festival.
a. Balinese costumes c. Kung Fu suits
b. kimono d. Saya and barong tagalog
_____5.Which of the following props cannot be seen in Chines Spring Festival?
a. Chinese fans c. dragon puppet
b. Chinese lanterns d. Wayang Kulit

_____6.An ancient dance tradition that comes from Indonesia

a. Folk dance c. jaz
b. Bali dance d. modern dance
_____7.The two epic dances of Bali dance are
a. ethnic or folk dance c. Mahabharata and Ramayana
b. solo or group dance d. count and ballroom dances
_____8.Balinese dance movement are associated with rhythms and produced by
a. gamelan c. piano
b. guitar d. orchestra
_____9.______________are important in Javanese and Balinese dance in India
a. feet and legs position
b. hand positions and facial expressions
c. head and shoulder movements
d. waist and arms positions
_____10.The Bali dancers usually wear _____________on their heads
a. beads c. hachimaki
b. crown and masks d. scarfs

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Activity 2

Activity 3
Classify whether it is a theater art for or a festival.

Nang Yai kabuki Taiko Drum Festival

Bali Dance Chinese New Year Festival Peking Opera
Wayang Kulit Loy Khratong

ASIA

THEATER FESTIVAL

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IV. Guide Questions:

1.What are the festivals and theatrical forms celebrated in China, Japan, Thailand,
and Indonesia?

2. What makes each Asian festival unique?

3.What Philippine’s festival that you like most? Why?

4. What is the relationship of the selected Asian festival and festival in the
Philippines in terms of form and reason in holding the celebration?

V. Reflection:

The festivals and theater arts of China, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand
reflects __________
____________________________________________________________________
____________
____________________________________________________________________
____________
____________________________________________________________________
___________.

VI. Resources:

Arts 8 Learners Materials

Arts 8 Teaching Guide

VII. Answer Key:

Activity 1 Activity 3
1. A Theater Festival
2. C Peking opera Chinese New
Year Festival
3. C Kabuki Taiko Drum
Festival
4. C Wayang Kulit Loy Khratong

5. C Nang Yai Bali Dance

6. B
7. C
8. A
9. B
10.B

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Activity 2
Answer may vary Guide Questions
Answer may vary

Prepared by:
REFREDA O. CUAMBOT
Teacher