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A Tujia orchestral chorus.
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A
song to the accompaniment of bamboo clappers. |
A farming work song.
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Changyang is a Tujia ethnic group autonomous county and cradle
of the ancient Ba Civilization of the Yangtze River Valley in
the southwestern mountains of Hubei Province. The Tujia community’s
rich folklore gives visitors a glimpse of its ancient civilization.
The Mountain Song, Southern Air and Funeral Dance are regarded
as the three choral treasures of the Tujia people. High-pitched
and sonorous Tujia mountain songs have a primeval beauty, and
the Southern Air is an example of Tujia high choral and orchestral
culture. It can be sung solo or by a chorus playing stringed instruments.
It may also be presented as a duet comprising a musician and a
singer playing bamboo clappers. The Southern Air is sung on festive
occasions such as weddings and birthdays. The Funeral Dance steps
either mimic animals or reflect everyday human activity.
The Tujia Mountain Song and Southern Air are best preserved in
the ancient town of Ziqiu in Changyang. Since 1998, the local
government has dedicated itself to the conservation of local culture
and established China’s first “Tujia Folklore and Ecology
Reserve.” It sponsors awards to encourage accomplished folk
artists to perform and has incorporated the Tujia Mountain Song
and Southern Air into the town’s primary and middle school
curricula.
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