Pulling the strings

The exhibition at the National Museum showcases many characters used in Zhangzhou's glove puppet plays and in Quanzhou's marionette plays.

Matchmakers are one of the common characters, because romance and marriage are popular themes in traditional puppet performances.

The exhibition features several matchmaker figures made by members of the Xu family.

Li Xue, a curator of the National Museum, says that among the Xu family puppets, one who makes a living from matchmaking is typically portrayed as a funny-looking middle-aged woman who has a pale complexion and is well dressed.

She says matchmaker puppets made by the Xu family can open and close their mouths, which suggests they are very eloquent.

In the past, puppet shows were more than a means of entertainment, and they often spoke for ordinary people.