Yang Taimin - Representative Inheritor of Miao Yugu Drum Dance Project in Xichou County, Wenshan 

Learning and Inheritance

Yang Taimin, a Zhuang (壮族) man born in 1955, hails from Xiaba Village (下坝村), Jiejie Township (鸡街乡), Xichou County (西畴县), Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (文山壮族苗族自治州).
At the age of 13, he began learning the Zhuang (壮族) fish-drum (渔鼓) art and the "Niutou Dance" (牛头舞), along with other Zhuang folk dances, under the guidance of master Yang Peiquan (杨佩全). He also learned how to make and play musical instruments such as flutes and erhus.
After the death of Yang Peiquan in 1988, Yang Taimin took on the responsibility of inheriting Zhuang traditional culture. He began organizing young villagers to rehearse and perform traditional Zhuang fish-drum (渔鼓) acts, "Nong Ya Wai" (弄娅歪), "Handkerchief Dance" (手巾舞), and other folk arts and performances, forming a rural amateur art troupe.

Inheritance and Innovation

Yang Taimin frequently led the troupe to participate in various performances organized by the prefecture, county, and township levels, earning numerous awards and widespread acclaim. He is widely recognized by local people as a key representative figure of traditional Zhuang (壮族) culture.
Moreover, he has passed down his skills to his son Yang Xianhui (杨先辉) and to cultural talents such as Lu Daikui (陆代葵).

Cultural Significance

The Zhuang (壮族) Fish-Drum "Zhuang Ba" (庄巴) is a form of folk art passed down among the Zhuang people in Xichou County (西畴县), Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (文山壮族苗族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省). It embodies strong local ethnic cultural characteristics and was listed by the People's Government of Yunnan Province in June 2005 as part of the first batch of provincial intangible cultural heritage protection programs.

Innovations by Yang Taimin to Revitalize the Fish-Drum Art

Innovating Performance Forms

Enriching Performance Content:
Yang Taimin not only preserves traditional forms such as mourning tunes but also integrates themes from modern life and the spirit of the times. He and his troupe created fish-drum programs reflecting modern rural life, making the content more relatable to contemporary audiences and enhancing emotional resonance.

Integrating Multiple Art Forms:
In performances, Yang Taimin combines the Zhuang (壮族) fish-drum with folk dances like "Niutou Dance" (牛头舞) and "Handkerchief Dance" (手巾舞), creating more colorful and diverse stage presentations. This fusion enriches performance expression and draws greater audience attention.

Cultivating Successors

Forming an Art Troupe:
Starting in 1988, Yang Taimin organized local youth to rehearse and perform traditional Zhuang (壮族) fish-drum and other folk arts, establishing a rural amateur art troupe. Through the "master-apprentice" model, he taught his skills to his son Yang Xianhui (杨先辉) and cultural talents like Lu Daikui (陆代葵), ensuring the continuity of the tradition.

Conducting Training Activities:
Yang Taimin actively participated in training courses organized by local cultural departments, teaching fish-drum making and performance skills. These activities broadened the influence of the fish-drum and inspired more people to engage with this traditional art form.

Integrating Modern Elements

Creating New Pieces:
Working with cultural workers, Yang Taimin composed modern fish-drum pieces such as "Leading the Way in Mountain-Splitting and Water-Diverting" (劈山引水带头人), "Five Songs for Democratic Elections" (五唱民主选举), and "Five Brothers Burying Their Father" (五兄弟葬父). These new compositions retain the traditional style of fish-drums while incorporating modern musical elements and the spirit of the times, diversifying artistic expression and meeting modern aesthetic tastes.

Using Modern Instruments:
In addition to the traditional fish-drum and simple clappers, he incorporated modern instruments such as flutes, erhus, jinghus, cymbals, and gongs. This innovation enriched the musical layers and made performances livelier and more engaging.

Expanding Dissemination Channels

Participating in Performance Activities:
Yang Taimin regularly led his troupe to perform at cultural events at the prefecture, county, and township levels, winning multiple awards. Through these performances, he showcased the charm of Zhuang (壮族) fish-drums and increased their visibility and influence.

Using New Media Platforms:
With the rise of new media, Yang Taimin actively used platforms like Douyin (抖音) to promote the Zhuang (壮族) fish-drum. Through short videos and livestreams, he demonstrated the making process and performance techniques, attracting large numbers of followers and likes, thus spreading Zhuang (壮族) fish-drum culture to a broader audience.

Through these innovative initiatives, Yang Taimin has injected new vitality into the Zhuang (壮族) fish-drum tradition, allowing it to flourish in modern society and making significant contributions to the preservation and development of this invaluable intangible cultural heritage.

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