Puju, also called puzhou bangzi, is one of the old theatrical genres in the xiqu form. Created around the first half of the 17th century (end of the Ming dynasty), the genre is popular in southern Shanxi province and some areas in Shaanxi, Gansu, and Henan.
As a member of the bangzi musical system, puju shares its characteristically high-pitched and loud music and most importantly the percussion of clappers. Puju and qinqiang have influenced each other greatly.