Liang Huilan  – Representative Inheritor of Zhuang Bronze Drum Dance in Guangnan County, Wenshan

Liang Huilan is the representative inheritor of the Zhuang Copper Drum Dance project in Guima Village, Nasa Town, Guannan County, Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. She has been learning and performing the Copper Drum Dance systematically since 1977, and has accumulated 47 years of experience. She is committed to preserving and promoting this traditional dance. Below are her key innovative practices:

Copper Drum Dance in Schools

Liang Huilan incorporated the movements of the Copper Drum Dance into school exercises, bringing the dance into the campus and into the hearts of children. At Guima Primary School in Nasa Town, Guannan County, children perform the Copper Drum Dance during break time, dancing with handkerchiefs in rhythm to the deep, resonant sounds of the drum. This innovative approach not only allows children to engage in physical exercise but also helps them understand and appreciate intangible cultural heritage, while fostering cultural confidence and cultivating more young inheritors.

Extensive Promotion and Teaching

Liang Huilan actively participates in the “Intangible Cultural Heritage into Schools” program, teaching students the skills and cultural significance of Copper Drum Dance. She also nurtures young inheritors through a “passing on, helping, and guiding” approach, ensuring that the Copper Drum Dance is carried on by the younger generation.

Participation in Cultural Activities and Performances

Liang Huilan has led the local community in numerous performances organized by the state and county, increasing the visibility of Copper Drum Dance. Her performances are widely loved, and her teaching methods are particularly appreciated by children.

Inheritance and Protection

As the fifteenth-generation inheritor of the Copper Drum Dance in Guima Village, Liang Huilan remains passionate about promoting and passing on this precious intangible cultural heritage. She has expressed her determination to continue dancing and teaching, ensuring the continued vibrancy of this ethnic treasure and bringing it to a wider stage.

Through these innovative practices, Liang Huilan has not only ensured the continuation of the Zhuang Copper Drum Dance among young people but also made significant contributions to revitalizing this traditional art in modern society.

Liang Huilan’s Participation in Major Performance Events

As the representative inheritor of the Zhuang Copper Drum Dance project in Guima Village, Guannan County, Liang Huilan has participated in numerous important performance events. Below are some of the key events:

1. 2025 Intangible Cultural Heritage Gala

On February 1, 2025, Liang Huilan participated in the “2025 Intangible Cultural Heritage Gala,” where she performed “Wedding Oath” and “Everything is Good” in collaboration with artists such as Luo Yizhou and Chen Yao. This gala, broadcast on various media platforms, showcased the unique charm of the Zhuang Copper Drum Dance.

2. CCTV’s “Traveling China” Program, 2005

During the 2005 Spring Festival, the CCTV program “Traveling China” filmed the complete process of the Zhuang Copper Drum collection and initiation (rituals involving the drums) in Guima Village. The performance of the Guima Copper Drum Dance was also recorded. This episode aired on June 19, 2005, on CCTV-4, greatly enhancing the visibility of the Copper Drum Dance.

3. 2004 Kunming International Tourism Festival

On April 20, 2004, the Guannan sub-site of the Kunming International Tourism Festival, along with the Yunnan Zhuang March Flower Street Festival, was held in Liancheng. Liang Huilan led the Guima Copper Drum Dance team to perform, receiving high praise from both domestic and international guests.

4. 2002 Yunnan Ethnic Village Performance

During the 2002 Zhuang March Festival, Yunnan Ethnic Village invited the villagers of Guima to Kunming to perform the Copper Drum Dance. This performance not only showcased the dance’s charm but also attracted significant media attention.

5. 1988 First Yunnan Arts Festival

In 1988, the Guannan Zhuang Copper Drum Dance appeared in the opening parade of the first Yunnan Arts Festival held in Kunming, demonstrating the unique allure of the Copper Drum Dance.

6. Guannan County Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance Activity Demonstration Point Unveiling Ceremony

On February 22, 2012, Guannan County held the unveiling ceremony for the national-level intangible cultural heritage “Copper Drum Dance (Wenshan Zhuang and Yi Copper Drum Dance)” inheritance activity demonstration point in Guima Village, Nasa Town. Liang Huilan, as an inheritor, actively participated in the relevant activities.

Through these significant performance events, Liang Huilan has not only showcased the unique charm of the Zhuang Copper Drum Dance but also made essential contributions to the inheritance and protection of this intangible cultural heritage.

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