Nuo opera

Nuo opera is a traditional Chinese performance art combining storytelling, music, dance, and masked drama, primarily used for religious and ritual purposes. Originating over 2,000 years ago, it often features performers in elaborate masks and costumes who enact stories of gods, spirits, and ancestors to seek blessings and ward off evil. The art form emphasizes expressive gestures, vocal performances, and symbolic movements, blending performance with spiritual practice. Nuo opera is especially prevalent among ethnic minority groups in southwestern China, serving as both entertainment and a means of cultural preservation and communal bonding.