Zhaotong Duangong Opera is one of the ancient Yunnan folk ritual operas. It is spread in the remote mountainous areas of Zhenxiong, Yiliang, Daguan, Yanjin, Qiaojia, Yongshan, Weixin, Suijiang, Zhaoyang and other counties in Zhaotong City. It is mainly performed in ritual activities such as celebrating Bodhisattva, celebrating the altar, playing Nuo, Yangxi and fasting and offering. It is named because it is performed by Duangong. According to the genealogy of Duangong's legal name and word-of-mouth data, Duangong Opera was introduced to northeastern Yunnan from Jiangxi, Sichuan and other provinces in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is divided into two categories: formal opera and play opera. The formal opera is related to the content of the ceremony. Duangong wears a mask "Gu Lianzi" to play various gods. The repertoire includes "Fighting Hongshan", "Rescuing Mother in Taoshan", "Setting up Five Camps", etc. Play opera is a secular drama performance in the ceremony, also known as spring opera, flower opera, etc., mostly small comedies, such as "Inviting Gongcao", "Four Ears Playing Straw Sandals", "Spring Orchid Sending Wine", etc., with Sheng, Dan, Jing, Chou and other roles, all played by men, Dan role sings in false voice, and other roles use their own voice. It is usually performed by solo and helper singing, accompanied by gongs and drums, and off-stage dialogue. Nowadays, there are many folk troupes performing Duangong Opera, mainly for local families to perform on occasions such as birthday celebrations, vow fulfillment, weddings, children turning one year old, or shaving, building houses, and worshipping ancestors. During the performance, the entire Duangong Opera, a total of 18 scenes, can be performed according to the host's wishes, or only some fragments can be performed, and the host can improvise according to the celebration content required by the host. The content of speaking and singing is both entertaining and educational, with humorous and humorous dialogues to amuse, and funny jumps, fights, fights, and dances to attract the audience. Duangong Opera, as a form of drama developed from ancient folk sacrificial activities, has rich cultural connotations. It is closely related to the local folk beliefs of exorcising evil spirits, bringing blessings, and praying for peace, reflecting the local people's yearning and pursuit for a better life. Duangong Opera still continues some of the ancient forms of the ancient Nuo sacrifice ceremony, retaining the function of entertaining both gods and people. At the same time, Duangong Opera also retains some of the initial forms of Chinese drama art, which is of great reference value for studying the formation and development of Chinese opera. Due to the specific sacrificial ritual function of Duangong Opera, rulers of all dynasties strictly prohibited its activities, which made the performance of Duangong Opera hidden and greatly restricted its artistic development. After the 1950s, the activities of Zhaotong Duangong Opera basically disappeared. Although performances were gradually resumed after the 1980s, most of the costumes and masks were incomplete, showing a trend of disappearing year by year. (No pictures yet, welcome to provide.) (No pictures yet, welcome to provide.)