UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritages in China (Ⅳ) (6)
Grand song of the Dong ethnic group
The item, "Grand song of the Dong ethnic group" was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.
A popular saying among the Dong people in Guizhou Province in southern China has it that 'rice nourishes the body and songs nourish the soul'. Their tradition of passing on culture and knowledge in music is exemplified in the Grand Song of the Dong ethnic group, multi-part singing performed without instrumental accompaniment or a leader.
The repertoire includes a range of genres such as ballads, children's songs, songs of greeting and imitative songs that test performers' virtuosity at mimicking the sounds of animals.
Taught by masters to choirs of disciples, Grand Songs are performed formally in the drum-tower, the landmark venue for rituals, entertainment and meetings in a Dong village, or more spontaneously in homes or public places.
Photos
Related Stories
- Chicago Field Museum hosts Chinese Culture Day
- UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritages in China (Ⅲ)
- Feature: Chinese classical music resonates in ancient Swiss city
- Chinese culture exhibition held in Paris
- How China helps preserve cultural heritage sites in Asia
- Museum in NW China's Gansu uses latte art to give more people a taste of culture
- Chinese culture courses launched in Myanmar's Yangon
- Sound of replicas of Chime Bells of Marquis Yi of Zeng digitally preserved
- China encourages integrating intangible cultural heritage, tourism
- Digital technologies help revitalize ancient city wall in NW China
Copyright © 2023 People's Daily Online. All Rights Reserved.