From Guangdong to Guangyuan: This Yingge Dance Troupe Takes theStage at Daughter Festival
Guangyuan, Sichuan Province, China – TheYingge dance troupe from Guangdong province has become a viral sensation after their performance at the recent Daughter Festival in Guangyuan, Sichuan. The energetic and captivatingdance, originating from the Chaoshan region of Guangdong, has captured the hearts of viewers across China, sparking nostalgia and a renewed appreciation for traditional Chinese culture.
The troupe, known as the Jinpu Youth Yingge Team, has been performing across China, bringing their unique brand of Yingge to audiences nationwide. The dance, characterized by its powerful movements, intricate face paint, and rhythmicdrumming, has been dubbed the Chinese Battle Dance by some fans.
The Yingge performance at the Guangyuan Daughter Festival recently went viral on short video platforms, said Liu Ye, a reporter for the Cover News. Thispowerful dance from the Chaoshan region has been a hit in Sichuan, bringing back memories for many viewers. People are commenting, ‘The feeling of the New Year is back!’ and ‘I want to see it, when will you come to my hometown and perform?’
The Jinpu Youth Yingge Team has beenon a whirlwind tour across China, bringing their vibrant performance to various cities. Their popularity exploded during the Lunar New Year, with videos of their performances going viral on social media. The team has even performed in New York City, captivating international audiences with their energetic and visually stunning dance.
We received an invitation a monthin advance and have been preparing for this performance, said Zheng Canbin, the leader of the Jinpu Youth Yingge Team and a representative inheritor of the Chaoshan Yingge, a district-level intangible cultural heritage project in Guangdong. The team consists of 43 members, and we showcased the signature ‘battle dance’ moves as well as the ‘八卦阵’ (Bagua Formation).
The team, composed of 280 members with an average age of 19, has been performing for over a year, traveling to nearly ten provinces in China. Their performance in Guangyuan was particularly memorable, as theyperformed in thick costumes under the scorching summer sun. Despite the heat, the audience’s enthusiastic response warmed their hearts.
This time was special, said Zheng Canbin. The weather was hot, and we were wearing thick costumes, but the audience was very enthusiastic. They really enjoyed the performance.
Thepopularity of the Chaoshan Yingge has surged in recent months, with more and more troupes receiving invitations to perform outside of Guangdong. The dance has broken through geographical boundaries, becoming a national phenomenon.
Since the Chaoshan Yingge went viral online, not only myself, but many other Yingge teams have received invitationsto perform outside of Guangdong and even participate in television programs, said Zheng Canbin. There are now all-female Yingge teams and mixed-gender teams, and they are all gaining popularity.
The Yingge dance, with its origins in the Chaoshan region, is a fusion of martial arts and theatrical performance. The dancers practice basic skills such as standing in a horse stance and applying face paint. The performance typically depicts a scene from the classic novel Water Margin, where the heroes of Liangshan disguise themselves as performers and stage a grand performance to rescue Lu Junyi. The most recognizable characters include Song Jiang, the drummer,and Shi Qian, who carries a black and white snake and moves through the ranks of dancers.
The Yingge performance is divided into three sections: the front, middle, and back. The front section usually features a group dance, with performers showcasing impressive techniques such as striking, holding, and spinning drumsticks. Themiddle and back sections feature drumming, gongs, and martial arts, sometimes integrating some of the performance into the front section, creating a combined front and back section.
The number of dancers in an Yingge troupe is not fixed, and the Jinpu Youth Yingge Team can perform with different formations, ranging from24 to 107 dancers. The more dancers there are, the more powerful the performance becomes. The dancers’ energetic movements, combined with the rhythmic drumming, create a captivating spectacle that has been praised by young viewers as a bloodline awakening and a manifestation of national style.
InApril or May this year, we were invited to Shenyang, Liaoning Province, recalled Zheng Canbin. The next night, after the performance, a woman in her seventies came up to me and held my hand, saying thank you. She had been watching Yingge videos online and loved it, but she wastoo old to travel far. She said she was so moved and amazed to see us perform in her hometown.
The Yingge, a traditional folk art that has been passed down for centuries, is experiencing a resurgence thanks to the efforts of young performers like Zheng Canbin. The dance has been modernized with new moves andtechniques, keeping the tradition alive and vibrant.
The Yingge’s newfound popularity has given these young performers the opportunity to share their passion with a wider audience. They are eager to travel to different parts of China and the world, bringing the energy and beauty of their traditional dance to new audiences.
Many Yingge teams in the Chaoshan region are formed by local villagers and perform mainly in their own areas, explained Zheng Canbin. The members come from all walks of life and have their own jobs. The teams are not for profit but are formed to contribute to the local festivals and celebrations. We practice regularly, about20 hours a week. In the past, some Yingge teams did perform outside of Guangdong and even abroad, but they didn’t receive the same level of attention. Since the dance went viral online, we have had the opportunity to perform on bigger stages. Now that so many people love it, we are happyto go out and perform for audiences far and wide.
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