Lusheng Dance of Miao Ethnic Minority in Yongshan County, Zhaotong

Overview of Ma'nan Township (马楠乡) in Yongshan County (永善县)

Ma'nan Township (马楠乡), located in the southeastern part of Yongshan County (永善县) in Zhaotong City (昭通市), Yunnan Province (云南省), is known for its breathtaking landscapes and rich ethnic culture. The Miao (苗族) people here refer to themselves as "Meng" or "A Mao," and their language belongs to the Hani-Tibetan language family. The "Big Flower Miao" (大花苗) community, a subgroup of the Miao, speaks a dialect from northeastern Yunnan (滇东北), and most of the Miao people in Ma'nan migrated here during the late Qing Dynasty (清朝) from Hunan (湖南) and Guizhou (贵州).

The Miao people of Ma'nan reside in a high-altitude area, where they rely on agriculture and livestock farming. They have preserved unique art forms, including traditional ethnic dances, batik (蜡染), and weaving.

Origin and History of the Lusheng Dance (芦笙舞)

The Lusheng Dance (芦笙舞) has an ancient origin. According to legend, a war forced people to seek refuge in dense forests, where they heard beautiful sounds coming from bamboo being blown. Inspired by this sound, the people created an instrument called the "Gouluo Ti" (勾罗蒂). Guided by the wisdom of immortals, they began to play this instrument and dance around it, giving birth to the dance called "Azuo" (阿作). This dance not only helped uplift their spirits during tough times but also symbolized their hopes for a better life.

The Lusheng Dance (芦笙舞) of Ma'nan Township (马楠乡) has a deep historical significance and is known for its elegant and captivating movements that showcase the beauty of Miao traditional art.

Cultural Impact and Influence of the Lusheng Dance

The Lusheng Dance of the Ma'nan Miao people is not just historically significant but has also become a prominent cultural expression in large-scale events. The dance has earned recognition and awards at various national and provincial events. For instance, at the Second National Ethnic Games (第二届民族运动会), the dance won an excellence award, demonstrating its outstanding artistic skills.

In addition, the Ma'nan Miao Lusheng Dance (马楠乡苗族芦笙舞) was showcased at the opening ceremony of the China Kunming International Art Festival (昆明中国国际艺术节), where it received widespread acclaim for its unique cultural charm. At the "Flower Mountain Festival" (花山节) in Yongshan County (永善县), a performance by over 100 dancers was a major crowd favorite.

Performance and Cultural Significance

Style and Expression of the Lusheng Dance

In the Miao Lusheng Dance, men play the Lusheng (芦笙), a traditional wind instrument, while women accompany them with graceful movements. The dance is lively and energetic, with movements that include high jumps, acrobatic stunts, and rolling on the ground. Depending on the region, the dance style can vary, encompassing labor-related dances, life-scenes dances, animal imitation dances, emotional dances, and ritual dances.

The Lusheng dance portrays various aspects of the Miao people's life, from agricultural labor to festive celebrations. The movements are quick, dynamic, and deeply rooted in the daily experiences of the Miao people. The dancers' expressions and body movements are full of life, demonstrating the energy and vitality of the Miao culture.

Cultural and Social Value

The Lusheng Dance carries significant cultural value, preserving the traditions and customs of the Miao ethnic group. The dance not only strengthens social bonds within the community but also plays a role in promoting cultural exchange and enhancing ethnic unity. It is vital in fostering the cultural identity of the Miao people, while also promoting physical and mental well-being.

The Lusheng Dance has been recognized as an important cultural heritage, playing a role in cultural tourism, ethnic solidarity, and the protection of intangible cultural heritage.

Inheritance and Development

Cultural Heritage and Preservation Plans

The Ma'nan Township (马楠乡) government has initiated plans to safeguard and pass down the Miao Lusheng Dance (苗族芦笙舞), adapting to the needs of modern society while preserving its traditional roots. This includes research, protection, and utilization of ethnic folk traditions, as well as organizing workshops and training sessions for young people to keep the dance alive and vibrant.

By focusing on innovation while maintaining tradition, the township aims to ensure the continued growth of the Lusheng Dance and its future generations. These efforts will promote the art form's significance, enhancing its representation and cultural value.

Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Ma'nan Miao Lusheng Dance (马楠乡苗族芦笙舞) has been included in the intangible cultural heritage list of Yongshan County (永善县), Zhaotong City (昭通市), and Yunnan Province (云南省) since 2005. In January 2012, it was further recognized by the Ministry of Culture (文化部) as a "Chinese Folk Cultural Arts Hometown" (中国民间文化艺术之乡), emphasizing its importance in preserving the ethnic culture of China.

Since 2005, several representative inheritors of the dance, including Yang Guanghui (杨光辉), Wang Shiqing (王仕清), Zhang Hongbing (张洪兵), Wang Jianzhang (王建章), and Zhu Xianrong (朱显荣), have been officially recognized for their contributions to preserving this unique art form. Yang Guanghui (杨光辉), in particular, was named a representative inheritor by Zhaotong City (昭通市) and Yunnan Province (云南省) in 2018.

The dance’s preservation has not only revived the ethnic spirit but has also helped strengthen the emotional connections within the Miao community. The Ma'nan Miao Lusheng Dance (马楠乡苗族芦笙舞) continues to be an essential part of the Miao cultural heritage in Yunnan Province (云南省).

Key Information

• Project Name: Ma'nan Township Miao Lusheng Dance (马楠乡苗族芦笙舞)

• Keywords: Miao (苗族), Lusheng Dance (芦笙舞), Yongshan County (永善县)

• Certification Level: Provincial-level (省级)

• Project Type: Cultural Space (文化空间)

• Origin Date: Around the Western Han Dynasty (西汉时期)

• Certification Time: 2006

• Certification Batch: First Batch (第一批)

• Application Area: Yongshan County, Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, China (中国云南省昭通市永善县)

• Country: China (中国)