Inheritor of Hulusheng-playing Skill in Ning'er County, Puer 

Introduction

Li Tangyong (李堂永), born in 1954 in Yongsheng Village (永胜村), Meizi Township (梅子乡), Ning’er County (宁洱县), Pu’er City (普洱市), Yunnan Province, is a Hani musician and a provincial-level representative inheritor of intangible cultural heritage (second batch). He is renowned for his mastery of hulusheng (葫芦笙) and suona (唢呐), and is locally known as the “King of Hulusheng and Suona”.

Li Tangyong began learning hulusheng at age 15 from a local musician, Bai Gong (白公), and later studied long and short horns around age 20. Through decades of practice, he refined his performance techniques, mastering nineteen hulusheng tunes, including “Shan Shan Tiao” (闪闪跳) and “Shun Jiang Bian” (顺江边). He has trained over 50 disciples and conducted classes in Ning’er Town, contributing significantly to the protection and transmission of Hani traditional music.

Early Life and Musical Training

Li Tangyong’s training was self-directed and eclectic, learning from multiple local folk artists. His artistic development reflects the rich ethnic cultural environment of Ning’er County, home to Hani, Yi, and other communities.

Artistic Achievements

Musical Style and Techniques

• Hulusheng:

  • Mastered 19 traditional tunes.

  • Plays high, middle, and low-pitched hulusheng.

  • Style blends traditional flavor with personal expression, conveying Hani emotions.

• Suona:

  • Highly skilled, expressive, adaptable to different occasions.

  • Often performed alongside hulusheng, creating rich textures.

Performance Characteristics of Hulusheng:

• Bright, crisp high tones; mellow middle tones; deep, resonant low tones.

• Techniques include holding the gourd upright, fingerings on the holes, blowing and inhaling, and performing while standing, sitting, walking, or dancing.

• Capable of double, triple, or quadruple harmonies; can play multiple keys (C, F, G, etc.).

Representative Works and Performances

He frequently performs during traditional Hani festivals, local celebrations, and training class demonstrations, contributing to cultural exchange and awareness.

Teaching and Cultural Transmission

• Lineage: Learned from Bai Gong, with no formal family-based lineage.

• Disciples: Over 50 trained in hulusheng, suona, and other horn instruments.

• Teaching Methods: Conducted classes in Ning’er Town, combining technical training with Hani cultural education.

• Philosophy: Emphasizes fundamentals, encourages participation, and integrates performance practice with cultural knowledge.

Contribution to Hani Culture

1. Cultural Preservation:

   • Collects and organizes hulusheng and suona repertoire to prevent cultural loss.

   • Maintains authenticity through personal performance practice.

2. Cultural Transmission:

   • Trains new generations, passing on both technique and cultural context.

   • Strengthens the Hani music tradition in the local cultural ecosystem.

3. Cultural Promotion:

   • Performs widely and leads training, raising awareness of Hani music.

   • Contributes to ethnic cultural exchange and community cohesion.

Hulusheng and Hani Musical Culture

• Historical Significance: Hulusheng is a key traditional instrument, intertwined with Hani daily life, rituals, and festivals.

• Cultural Role: Used in celebrations, weddings, and communal events; a symbol of Hani identity.

• Instrument Features: Made from gourd and bamboo pipes of varying lengths; capable of multiple tonal ranges; performed standing, sitting, walking, or dancing.

• Technique and Expression: Finger dexterity, breath control, ornamentation, and improvisation allow expressive versatility.

Local Heritage Protection

• Ning’er County recognizes 86 intangible cultural heritage items, including hulusheng and dance.

• Other prominent Hani cultural inheritors include Li Changde and Chen Bingkui.

• Preservation measures include competitions, workshops, school programs, and provincial exhibitions.

• Hani music is shared nationally through performances in Beijing, Ningxia, and provincial events.

Conclusion

Li Tangyong has dedicated decades to performance, teaching, and innovation in Hani traditional music. His work safeguards and promotes Hani cultural heritage, enhancing ethnic cultural diversity and fostering community pride. His achievements and transmission philosophy reflect the passion and responsibility of a folk artist toward his culture.