Shen Guifen - Inheritor of Yi Folk Song and Dance in Jianshui County, Honghe

Introduction

Shen Guifen (沈桂芬), born in 1937 in Wangmazhai Village (王马寨村), Qujiang Town (曲江镇), Jianshui County (建水县), Honghe Prefecture (红河州), Yunnan Province, is a Yi musician and dancer and a provincial-level representative inheritor of intangible cultural heritage (second batch). She is a distinguished master of Sha-You (沙莜腔) singing, one of the four major Yi vocal styles, and also excels in Yanhe dance (烟盒舞).

Shen Guifen began learning Yi folk songs and Yanhe dance at age 14 from the Yi singer couple Mo Dingcheng and his wife, mastering the four major vocal repertoires within two years. Her singing is renowned for its rich timbre, expressive power, and mastery of the wide vocal range and melodic variations of Yi music.

Early Life and Artistic Training

Shen Guifen’s training was non-institutional and followed the oral tradition (“kou chuan xin shou”), learning by listening, imitation, and repeated practice.

Artistic Achievements

Singing and Dance Style

• Vocal Techniques:

  • Mastery of the four major Yi vocal styles: Sha-You (沙莜腔), Haicai (海菜腔), Si-Qiang (四腔), Wusan (五三腔).

  • Strong, flexible timbre; skilled in alternating chest and head voice.

  • Expressive of Yi culture, capable of conveying wide emotional ranges.

• Yanhe Dance:

  • Graceful, rhythmically dynamic; movements combine strength and delicacy.

  • Expresses the daily life, joy, and emotional world of Yi people.

• Artistic Influences:

  • Local culture of Qujiang Town, the birthplace of Sha-You singing and Yanhe dance.

  • Influenced by the Yi tobacco ritual “chi huo cao yan,” infusing her style with local customs.

Representative Works and Performances

She regularly performed in her hometown, becoming a central figure in local cultural events.

Teaching and Cultural Transmission

• Lineage: Trained under Mo Dingcheng couple.

• Disciples: Mentored numerous students including Luo Yufen.

• Teaching Approach: Oral tradition, hands-on practice, individualized guidance.

• Curriculum: Singing techniques, dance choreography, cultural knowledge, and performance skills.

Her teaching spans family, community, and public cultural exchange, ensuring the continuity of Yi traditional music and dance.

Contribution to Yi Culture

1. Cultural Preservation:

   • Collects, organizes, and protects Sha-You singing and Yanhe dance repertoire.

   • Ensures traditional music and dance are performed authentically.

2. Cultural Transmission:

   • Trains new generations, passing on technical and cultural knowledge.

   • Maintains the Yi music and dance ecosystem in local communities.

3. Cultural Promotion:

   • Participates in national and provincial performances, expanding the visibility of Yi culture.

   • Contributes to ethnic cultural exchange and cohesion.

Cultural Context of Sha-You Singing and Yanhe Dance

• Historical Roots: Sha-You, Haicai, Si-Qiang, and Wusan vocal styles date back to the late Ming Dynasty; closely linked to Yi tobacco rituals.

• Geographic Distribution: Sha-You is mainly in Jianshui County; Haicai in Shiping County; Si-Qiang in Shiping, Jianshui, and Tonghai; Wusan in Limin Township, Jianshui.

• Artistic Features:

  • Songs are long, structured, expressive, and involve call-and-response.

  • Yanhe dance features rhythmic steps, use of circular tobacco boxes, and dynamic group interactions.

Preservation Challenges

• Aging of traditional practitioners.

• Declining interest among youth.

• Gradual loss of traditional repertoire and performance styles.

Government and local authorities are strengthening heritage protection, establishing training bases, and promoting cultural and tourism integration to ensure continued vitality.

Conclusion

Shen Guifen has dedicated decades to performing, teaching, and transmitting Yi traditional music and dance, preserving a rich cultural heritage and enriching ethnic diversity. Her work demonstrates the passion and responsibility of a folk artist committed to her community and culture.