ABSTRACT
In the cultural life of the Vietnamese in Vietnam’s Northern Delta, various forms of folk theatrical art, also known as folk performances or pre-theatrical art, continue to exist. These art forms are preserved through numerous cultural activities among the Vietnamese in the Northern Delta and are recognised as valuable heritages created, practised, and passed down by previous generations to the present. The primary creative method in most of these art forms is theatricalisation, particularly of religious and spiritual ideas. These include Buddhist, Confucian, and traditional Vietnamese beliefs, contributing to the development of a unique art form with distinct characteristics rooted in the local community. However, under the strong influence of modern economic and cultural life, these art forms are at risk of disappearing from contemporary society. This study, utilising qualitative research methods such as fieldwork and in-depth interviews with elderly artisans who have the ability to perform these plays well, takes an interdisciplinary approach combining art and religious studies. It focuses on the cultural context and methods of dramatising religious ideas, particularly through the case of the Vu Lan Sutra and the play Mục Liên, Thanh Đề (Maudgalyayana and His Mother) as performed during funerals in the Northern Delta region. The research findings reveal the primary creative methods and distinctive characteristics of this art form, along with the folk messages conveyed by earlier generations to the present. These contributions aid in the preservation and continuation of this cultural heritage in the lives of Vietnamese people today.
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