GUIZHOU
Guizhou is a multi-minority province in Southwest China. It is located southwest of Beijing, and northwest of Guilin and Hong Kong. It is famous for its marvelous landscapes, unsophisticated ethnic customs, cultural and historical relics, and pleasant climate. Guizhou has the country's third largest minority population, after Tibet and Xinjiang. Many minority groups live in Guizhou, including the Miao, Dong, Shui, and Gejia who preserve their traditional lifestyle, and still inherit their arts and crafts. For a variety of reasons, however, these cultures are gradually disappearing. Read on to see the customs and knowledge of the region based on what we have discovered in the world which in a decade or two may have totally disappeared.
Miao Lusheng Dance, Blowing and Dancing
Lusheng is a kind of reed-pipe instrument popular in minority villages in Guizhou. “Lusheng dance” is a traditional folk dance featuring men playing lusheng and simultaneously dancing in a synchronized way. For Miao people, lusheng dance might be entertainment, performance or competition, or an expression of love from a boy to a girl. It is also used in funeral and other occasions. Our musical documentary that records Lusheng playing in different branches of Miao is coming soon, stay tuned!
Yao Medicated Bath and Music
Although they live in rugged mountains with a harsh environment, the people of the Yao minority are seldom troubled by disease. This is because of their folk medicine. Having a medicated bath is a time-honored custom among the Yao, for they believe that such baths prevent and heal diseases, yielding good health and a long life. Yao is also famous for its mysterious songs and long drums that less and less people know about them. Our musical documentary about Yao music is coming soon too.
Dong Grand Songs
Dong choral songs, with a history of over 2,500 years, are multi-voice folk songs, without conductor or accompaniment. This kind of singing is an intangible cultural heritage, and has been performed at many world-class events and ceremonies. The songs may focus on love, teaching morals, or telling stories. One of the most distinctive is the “sound chorus”, imitating sounds from nature, such as the sounds of insects, birds or rivers. Nearly all Dong villages have their own choral teams and children start to join it at the age of six. Grand Songs is mostly known and sung by older generations who try their best to pass it down. In the village of Xiaohuang where is famous for its singing culture, the grandma Pansa Yinhua (most respectful Grand Songs teacher) told us that she has already recorded more than 200 traditional songs with her friends at the Karaoke in Congjiang (a small town 40 min drive from the villages) with the help from the local association. We also recorded the Grand Songs 'party' held by Pansa and her girl friends whose average ages are 80, please check our Instagram page.