Chapter One: From Henan Opera (河南戲) to Taiwan Bangzi (台灣梆子) - Localisation and Identity of Taiwan Bangzi
 
Abstract
 
A non-native type of opera (Henan opera) has survived, changed, become localised and established its Taiwan identity – from Henan opera to Taiwan bangzi – for more than sixty years, since it was introduced from China to Taiwan under historical circumstances. This chapter examines the localising process from Henan opera to Taiwan bangzi in Taiwan from four perspectives: social and cultural background, performers, contents of scripts, and music. The time frame is divided into two periods (1947-1987 and 1987-2013) to discuss the processes separately.
 
Keywords: Taiwan bangzi, localisation, Taiwan identity, Henan opera
 
1. Introduction
 
In this chapter, I investigate and discuss how a non-native opera can survive, change, become localised and establish its Taiwanese identity, from Henan opera to Taiwan bangzi. Primarily all materials in this chapter are from the collections, interview and transcriptions of fieldwork conducted during 1998 – 2000, and following observations of rehearsals and performances after 2000. This article examines the localising process from Henan opera to Taiwan bangzi in Taiwan from four perspectives: social and cultural background, performers, contents of scripts, and music. I divided the time frame into two periods (1947-1987 and 1987-2013) to discuss the processes separately.