侗族大歌:山野间飘出的生命天籁
侗族文化瑰宝，世界非物质文化遗产
The侗族大歌, a cultural treasure of the侗族 people, is a melodious echo that drifts from the mountains and fields, a natural symphony that embodies the essence of life. With a history of over 2,500 years, the侗族大歌 has been recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, celebrated for its unique vocal harmonies and deep cultural significance.
A Melody Born in the lap of Nature
The small village of Xiaohuang in the Qiandongnan Miao and侗族 Autonomous Prefecture in Guizhou Province is one of the birthplaces of the侗族大歌, known as the Hometown of侗族 Songs. On September 1, China News Service reported from this vibrant village, capturing the essence of this ancient art form.
In Xiaohuang, the air is filled with the sound of cicadas, a natural melody that intertwines with the侗族 songs. As the summer heatwave continues to sweep through the village, the cicadas’ song is complemented by the harmonious voices of the villagers, who gather under the drum tower to sing traditional侗族 songs.
ASymphony of Life
The侗族大歌 is not just music; it is a reflection of the侗族 people’s way of life. We sing when we chat, discuss matters, welcome guests, set tables, eat, express love, and even during rituals, an elderly villager told the China News Service reporter. The侗族大歌 encompasses all aspects of侗族 life, from historical stories to daily etiquette, with song being the medium through which they express their emotions and record events.
A Legacy Carried Through Generations
The侗族 people have no written script; their songs are passed down orally from generation to generation. Each song requires a minimum of three singers, including a lead singer, a soprano, and several basses. The villagers of Xiaohuang, numbering around 4,000, have over 100 singing teams, with more than 3,000 participants spanning different age groups.
A Community United by Song
In the summer, the village is alive with the sounds of cicadas and frogs. Children like Jiang Hanming, who seek shelter from the heat under the drum tower’s veranda, sing侗族 children’s songs that mimic the sounds of frogs. He sings well. He’s the lead singer of their team, Jiang’s great-grandmother, Pan Chayinghua, says with a smile.
Pan Chayinghua, an 81-year-old representative inheritor of the侗族大歌, believes that people age without singing, and flowers won’t bloom without listening to songs. The侗族 people hold the belief that food nourishes the body, while songs nourish the soul.
A Sensory Experience
The侗族大歌 is a sensory experience that blends with the natural sounds of the surroundings. The first time Luo Ting, who has been leading research teams to Xiaohuang for five consecutive years, heard the Cicada Song, she was by the rice fields. The villagers sang spontaneously, adjusting their harmonies to the sounds of flowing water. The融合 of cicadas, birds, wind, water, and their voices created an unforgettable symphony of nature.
A Vibrant Cultural Tradition
For visitors like Luo Ting, the侗族大歌 is not just music; it is a window into the侗族 people’s passion for life and their vibrant rural culture. The songs convey a deep emotional flow and a simplicity that resonates with the soul.
As the侗族 people continue to preserve and pass on their songs, the侗族大歌 remains a testament to the enduring power of cultural traditions. It is a celebration of life, a connection to nature, and a reflection of the侗族 people’s unique identity and spirit.
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