zat pwe (ဇာတ်ပွဲ)

Burmese. Classical dance drama in −or from− Burma, with performances usually based on the Jataka or Ramayana stories. Its development was heavily influenced by the movements of the marionettes (fig.) from yokthei pwe and the dancers are hence made to look like puppets, with both female and male dancers wearing make-up. They are dressed in traditional clothing, with male dancers wearing the gaung-baung (fig.). This once very popular form of entertainment is still much acclaimed as a national heritage, and is hence often represented in other arts (fig.). Also called zat. 回