Archive for category Folk Music&Dance
Lion Dance
Posted by sharon in Folk Music&Dance on October 1st, 2009
As one of the most widely spread folk dance in China, lion dance is the dance in which performers mimic a lion’s movements in a lion costume. It combines Chinese art, history and kung fu moves.
It has a history of more than a thousand years. The earliest record of the dance dates back to the Han Dynasty (205 B.C. to 220 A.D). It reached its peak during the Tang Dynasty (716-907 A.D.).
In Chinese culture, the dance represents joy and happiness, so it is particularly performed during festivals and celebrations, such as Chinese New Year, the openings of restaurants and weddings, etc.
The dance is performed by two dancers. One handles the head and the other plays the role of the body. According to the styles, the performance is divided into civil lion and martial lion. Civil lion depicts the docile and funny images of a lion, while martial lion portrays the power of a lion.
Naxi Ancient Music
Posted by sharon in Folk Music&Dance on June 26th, 2009
Known as a living fossil, Naxi Ancient Music was listed as one of the masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.
The music is a collective of literary lyrics, poetic topics, and musical styles from the Tang (618-907) and Song dynasties (960-1279).
It is composed of three styles: Baisha Fine Music, Dongjing Music and the now-extinct Huangjing Music.
What’s more, Naxi Music bands are famous for their “three olds”:
Old Performers: Most of the performers are more than 70 years old;
Old Musical Instruments: Many instruments have a history of more than 100 years. Some are unique ones.
Old Songs: All are antiquated classical music.
Nowadays, when you walk on the ancient streets of Lijiang, Yuannan Province, you may still hear this wonderful music.
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