Conservation Efforts and Historical Evolution of Chinese Puppetry in Southeast Asia: Insights from Singapore

Abstract

Chinese puppetry, particularly Potehi (glove puppetry), holds profound cultural significance within Southeast Asian Chinese communities, serving as a vital bridge between traditional art forms and contemporary identity amid globalisation and disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite its rich heritage originating from southern Fujian province and its adaptation across dialect groups (including Hokkien, Henghua, Hainanese, and Teochew communities), scholarly research on Potehi in Malaysia remains limited and fragmented, especially compared to more prevalent studies and collaborative conservation efforts in neighboring Singapore, where active troupes and institutional support have sustained diverse puppet form. This article addresses this research gap by examining Singapore as a model for preservation, drawing on a comprehensive literature review and content analysis of sources from cultural institutions (e.g., National Heritage Board, Roots Singapore) to highlight the historical evolution, active troupes (e.g., Sin Hoe Ping, Jit Guat Sin, San Chun Long), and adaptive strategies (e.g., secular performances, workshops, modernisation of puppets for younger audiences) that counter challenges like dialect erosion and generational decline. Key findings reveal Singapore's robust civil society and institutional efforts through documentation, restoration, outreach, and secular adaptations which have enabled these puppet traditions to persist and evolve despite an aging population and modernization pressures, providing a benchmark for diaspora heritage sustainability. These insights underscore the implications for Malaysia, where ethnic diversity, limited discourse, and reliance on niche groups (e.g., innovative troupes like Ombak Potehi in Penang) fragment conservation. Enhanced academic attention, policy support, and cross-border collaborations could bridge this gap, fostering intergenerational transmission and ensuring Potehi and related forms remain culturally resonant in contemporary society.