Folk Songs of Ethnic Groups

Folk Songs of Ethnic Groups

China is a united nation consisting of 56 ethnic groups. Apart from the Han nationality, there are 55 ethnic groups, with a comparatively smaller population, and so they are known as "minorities."

People of all ethnic groups are known for their singing and dancing accompanied by distinct folk music. Each ethnic group has its own history of development and cultural background. On that basis, folk music with characteristics of each ethnic group was developed into a distinct style. Similar with the Han nationality, all ethnic groups also created their own folk songs, 

such as Flower, a song of the Hui minority, and Long Tone and Hoomei songs of Mongolia; special music types like Muqam of the Uygurs, and Dongjing music of the Naxi minority; folk dances like long-dram dance of the ethnic Korean people, timbal dance and tap dance of the Miao, Yao and Yi minorities, Andai dance of the Mongolians, Muqam of the Uygurs and Caicha dance of the Zhuang minority; and such folk operas as Tibetan Opera, Baiju Opera of the Bai minority and Zhuangju Opera of the Zhuang minority. These songs, music types, dances, and operas makeup of the brilliant music culture of the Chinese nation and have an important place in Chinese music history.

Tibetan Folk Songs and Dances

Tibetan people inhabit Tibet, a beautiful and mystical land which is reputed to be the Roof of the World. They are so cheerful and forthright that they like to live in a free life and sing and dance as they wish.

Tibetans eulogize all aspects of life and work in their songs. They glorify the mountains and rivers, praise labour and admire the love between men and women. In general, these songs are divided into such 10 of types: songs for children, toasting, working, pastoral, folk and love according to their different content.

Of them, toasting songs are the favourite among Tibetans. This type of song features a fresh and smooth melody and usually sung to propose a toast in a natural and easy emotion. On the occasions of traditional festivals, parties or wedding ceremonies, people sit around a Tibetan-type square table in the order of seniority in the family. One of them, usually a woman, acts as the cupbearer. She has to fill every cup while singing and dancing. After they are served, each drinker is supposed to receive a cup, point to heaven with the ring finger, take three sips and finish the drink in a special posture as required in the song.

Duixie (堆谐) or Duidi song and dance are among traditional folk songs and dances of Tibetans. Duidi refers to the area of upper reaches of the Brahmaputra River and Ali Prefecture. Tibetans call the area Dui and name the dance in circles in the area as. Duixie songs are presented in a distinct, vivid and lively tone; while Duixie dances are performed in warm and flexible movements. In form, Duixie is made up of Jiangxie and Juexie. Jiangxie is presented by songs in a slow tempo and melodious tones, while Juexie is mainly expressed by dances in a fast tempo and with vigorous movements.

Duixie is usually accompanied by Terz guitars and performed like a tap dance. A tap dancer makes sounds with complicated gaits with the foot such as kicking, tapping, stamping and jumping in a changing and fair-sounding melody. Duixie is performed either in festivals or during leisure time. A performer could dance it in various forms, no matter if he dresses up or not. Gradually, folk art is becoming popular among folk artists and even all Tibetans.

In addition, Nangma is another traditional type of song and dance of Tibetans. Accompanied by the bamboo flute, Yangqin, Gengka, Urheen, Chi Qin, and tinkle bells, it can be performed in a careful structure. Performers usually set the tone according to the main musical instrument first, followed by singing in a lyrical and graceful melody and dancing at a fast tempo. In recent years, Nangma has become widely prevailing in Lhasa. Today, people like to enjoy Nangma in entertainment cities where authentic performances are presented, or dance for themselves, giving had as to each other in a comfortable atmosphere.

Mongolian Folk Songs

The Mongolian minority that inhabits the vast plain in the northern part of China is reputed as an "ethnic group of music and poems." The people have created a large number of folk songs full of content; all are performed in a characteristic melody. As a Mongolian saying goes in the Hetao Region of Inner Mongolia, "Folk songs are as plentiful as blackberries in Hetao, one could sing a small number of them in three years."

Mongolian folk songs are divided into different types of songs, such as pastoral, ballads, folk, dinner, wedding, working and hunting. The well-known Gada Meilin is a lengthy ballad. From the music features, there are two types of Mongolian folk songs performed: long tone and short tone. The long tone is characterized by a falling and rising melody and in free rhythm. Embodying lengthy songs, it could express a profound emotion in an imposing manner, especially the bold and unrestrained personality of Mongolians. Praise songs, pastoral songs, and some folk songs belong to the long tone, and they are usually sung while grazing or at party, wedding or Madam. On the contrary, the short tone is marked by a relaxed and cheerful melody, a tight structure and a short length. Hunting songs, ballads, and some folk dances fall into this category.

Khuumei (呼麦) is such a special throat singing where one performer can sing two voice parts, a special talent of the Mongolian people. It is said that the ancestors of the Mongolians created Khuumei by imitating the sounds of running streams and waterfalls echoed in the mountains. The performer sings the raucous base part by suspending their breathing and impacting his vocal cord with breaths; on that basis, he makes a clear melodic treble voice by creating a resonance inside the oral cavity, intensifying and concentrating overtones, so as to produce a wonderful sound effect.

Miao's Folk Songs and Musical Instruments

Miao people mostly inhabit in Guizhou, Yunnan, Hunan, Sichuan, Guangxi, Hubei and Guangdong provinces in southern China. The Miao minority is said to have originated from the Jiuli, a tribe in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River 5,000 years ago, and later moved to the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and formed the Sanmiao tribe. Through the passing of time, Miao people migrated all over the southern part of China and even crossed boundaries to other countries. Today, Miao people are spread over Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Europe, and America. Similar to other ethnic groups, Miao people are also good at singing and dancing, especially in festivals.

There is a great variety of Miao folk songs. As for content, they contain hundreds of types; love songs alone could be divided into 13 types, such as songs for encounters, love, courtship, and dupery. In terms of literary form, these folk songs could be composed of long tones and short tones. The long tone mainly consists of narrative epics and ballads in a primitive and bold tone; while the short tone covers all folk songs apart from epics and ballads, such as work songs, canzonets, songs for customs and children's songs.

The Fly Tone, a type of Miao folk songs, is popular in Taijiang, Jianhe, and Kaili, Guizhou. Since this type of song is presented in a loud and sonorous tone, singers have to sing in falsetto. The lyrics mostly involve words of admiration, appreciation, and encouragement. In celebrating the Miao New Year or Dragon Boat Festival, Miao people always sing fly tones to show their happiness.

Miao folk musical instruments can be, summarized as "three drums and one sheng”. The "three drums" refer to the bronze, wooden and leather drums; while the "one sheng" is Lusheng (芦笙, a reed wind instrument). The Lusheng has many models. The small-sized treble Lusheng is merely 33 cm long, and the big base of the Lusheng could be as high as 330 cm. They are performed in many forms: several treble Lushengs accompany dances, or they are performed in groups, as one group falls another rise.

Accompanied by the bronze drum, wooden drum, and Lusheng, Miao dances are named after musical instruments, such as the Bronze Drum Dance, Wooden Drum Dance and Lusheng Dance; of them, the Lusheng Dance is the most popular. The Lusheng Dance is performed with active movements like squatting, jumping and walking in good order, straightforward and passionate. It is reputed by its highly challenging movements - making a squat vault and dance turn by bending one leg while performing the Lusheng.

The Lusheng Dance is performed by a group or an individual: one or a group of performers could dance while playing the Lusheng; a male performer could play the Lusheng for a female dancer. At the Peach Blossom Festival or other traditional festivals, fully-costumed girls and boys dance cheerfully accompanied by the Lusheng and folk songs, turning the flower field or entire village into a sea of joy.