海南斋戏——海南艺人表演的一种祭祀仪式性戏曲。主要流传于海南海口等地。早期的祭祀仪式只是简单的舞蹈和念唱咒文，海南民间称为“做斋”。随着外地戏曲剧种的传入，祭祀仪式吸收了戏曲“以歌舞演故事”的营养，发展成为斋戏。

斋戏比琼剧形成还要早，至迟在明代已产生，至今已有四百年以上的历史，成为海南古代祭祀活动和我国早期戏曲杂剧在海南传播的活化石，承载着大量的原始戏曲和民俗活动的事象。

Hainan Zhai Opera is mainly performed in Haikou and originated from simple dance and spell chanting in offering sacrifices to ancestors. With the introduction of external dramas and operas, the ritual dance and chanting gradually developed into a full-fledged opera by incorporating stories. 

With a history of over 400 years, Zhai Opera even preceded Hainan Opera and has been a living testimony to the sacrificial rituals in ancient Hainan and a source of inspirations for later folk dramas.