The Puppets
An early set of Burmese marionettes probably consisted of a pair of male and female human figures plus familiar creatures such as the horses , elephant , monkey, and tiger. The puppets would have danced and acted out short scenes from Buddhist stories and folk-tales .In time, the role of the couple grew in importance, and they came to be known as the Mintha (prince)(Plate I) and Minthamee (princess) (Plate 2).
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Until well into the second half of the nineteenth century most of the country,with the exception of settled areas, was a vast jungle. The majority of people believed and still do that the animals share their habitat with demons and the creatures of the night. Taking advantage of this belief, the puppeteers introduced plots in which the hero and heroine undertook journeys through forests,where they had interesting encounters with its denizens.
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Although the number of marionettes decreed by the first Thabin Wun was twenty-eight, there is no evidence to suggest that all the characters wers his own creation as some, writers would have us believe. It is possible that he simply improved an art form which had been in existence for centuries. His stipulation that only this number was to be used could not have been enforced for ong either, as most troupes found it impossible to keep to a set number as the plays in their repertoire increased.
A list of figures kept by touring group prior to the Thabin Wun’s reorganization of the marionette stage may have consisted of the following eighteen puppets(Plate 3)
Mythological
- Belu (Demon
- Zawgyi (Alchemist)
- Naga (Dragon)
- Galon (Garuda)
- Byarmar (Brahma)
Animal
- Myin(Horse)
- Sin-Phyu(White Elephant)
- Sin-Net(Black Elephant)
- Myauk(Monkey)
- Kyar(Tiger)
- Kyet-to-yway(Parrot)
Human
- Natkadaw (Spirit Medium)
- Minitha (Prince)
- Minthamee (Princess)
- Bayin (King)
- Wun (Minister)
- Ponna (Brahmin astrologer, villain|)
- Yathay (Hermit)
