Ipok puppetry is believed to have originated at the former royal court of Luang Prabang, and the puppets carved for the king have been stored at Wat Xieng Thong since the demise of the monarchy in 1975. The puppets are held from below on sticks and the jointed arms manipulated with rods; the repertoire focuses on three Lao traditional stories - Karaket, Sithong Manora and Linthong. However, today only one of the original 12 puppeteers, Mr Lung Ouane Phothiphanya, is still alive and the provincial government is seeking outside assistance to preserve the art form; both the Central Puppet Troupe in Vientiane and the Children's Cultural Centre (CCC), Luang Prabang Province Performance Troupe now perform Ipok puppetry, but neither version is authentic. In Luang Prabang performances are given only on festival days and other special occasions. The show is preceded by a ceremony to honour the spirits of ancestors which are believed to reside in the puppets.