20230630 final exam culture 03

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Gu Yuting 谷钰婷 - Chinese folk art：Xiangxi Folk Songs

Abstract

During the long history of China，various forms of folk art have appeared. As one of the excellent folk arts, the folk song culture has a long history and is an undoubted cultural treasure. This paper will take western Hunan folk songs as an example and give a short introduction to folk songs from three aspects: categories, characteristics and representative songs.

Keywords

Chinese Folk art，Folk songs，National minority

摘要

中国历史悠久，各种民间艺术形式百花齐放。作为优秀的民间艺术之一，我国民歌文化源远流长，是毋庸置疑的文化瑰宝。本文将以湘西民歌为例子，从类别，特点和代表曲三个方面对民歌进行简短的介绍。

关键字

中国民间艺术，民歌，少数民族

Introduction

"Xiangxi" refers to the western part of Hunan Province, which has been a multi-ethnic region since ancient times and has gradually developed a unique folk song culture during its long history. The folk songs of western Hunan mainly consist of the folk songs of Miao ethnic minority and Tujia ethnic minority. It is the folk music form that created by the ethnic minority people in their long-term life, and is one of their favorite forms of music. The folk songs are not only exist in Xiangxi, but also widely spread in Hubei, Chongqing and Guizhou provinces. Xiangxi folk songs play an important role in studying the history, primitive religion and folklore of the Miao people. The tunes and singing styles of the folk songs of western Hunan are also special and have high artistic value, as well as great ethnic flavor and charm. The Xiangxi folk songs was listed as intangible cultural heritage of China due to their value.

简介 “湘西”指的是湖南的西部，自古以来就是一个多民族聚居的地区，在长期的历史发展中，也逐渐形成了独具特色的民歌文化。湘西民歌主要由苗族名歌和土家族民歌组成，是少数民族人民在长期生产生活中创造出来的民族民间音乐形式，是他们最喜欢的音乐形式之一。民歌不仅流传于湘西，还广泛流传于湖北省，重庆市，贵州省等地。湘西民歌形态特殊，内容丰富，从古至今在湘西一带传沿不绝，是研究苗族历史、原始宗教、民俗等的重要参考材料。湘西民歌的曲调和唱法也极为特殊，具有很高的艺术价值，也极具民族风情和魅力。湘西民歌也被列入中国非物质文化遗产。

Classification

There are various forms of Xiangxi folk songs, and there are many ways to classify them. According to their singing forms, they can be divided into five categories of common songs.

1. “Receiving the Bride” tune (external door blocking song)

This form of songs are mainly presented in unison, duet or solo. It is often sung at the time of receiving the bride. It is often sung by the host and guest singers during the wedding reception, with different styles and singing techniques between men and women.This type of folk songs is characterized by melodious melody, cadence, and strongly lyrical.

分类

湘西民歌形式多样，有多种分类方式，按其演唱形式来分，可以将其分为五大类常用歌调。 1. 接亲调（对外拦门歌） 这种歌调主要以男女二人齐唱、二重唱或独唱为主要形式。其常在接亲之时，在主、客歌师对歌时演唱，男女分腔调，唱法也有所不同，其曲调悠扬，抒情味浓。

2. Weeping marriage tune

This is an extremely melancholy form of folk songs, often sung when a woman is married and leaving home.This weeping marriage tune start with the name of the bride and a mournful cry, and then flow into the main part of the song. Every line is sung in the dragging cavity to end with a trill, while adding the occasional sobbing sound. The infectious emotion of weeping tune is so strong that even the onlookers often burst into tears. 2. 哭嫁调 这是一种极为悲伤的歌调，常在女子出嫁离家时演唱。在演唱时先要进行一句道白，由此发出悲哀的哭喊声，再进入主歌的唱词部分，每唱一句都要在拖腔上以颤音结束，同时又加入时不时的抽泣声。哭嫁调情感的感染力十分强，常会使听众感动地流泪。

3. Love Song tune

This is a common tune in folk songs and is quite popular. Love song tune often add some appellation prefixes to the lyrics to express the identity of the subject, and the love song tune is generally sung exclusively in the field, with a slow start, strong melody, rhythmic fluctuations, euphonious, and rich flavor. 情歌调 这是民歌中比较常见的歌调，较为流行。情歌调常会在歌词中加上一些称呼的词头作为表达对象的身份，而且情歌调一般只在野外演唱，起歌较慢，旋律性强，节奏起伏较大，婉转动听，风味浓郁。

4. Work song tune

This is the lyric song sung while working, and the tune is light and lively. 工夫歌调 这是在干活、做工夫时演唱的抒情歌调，曲调轻快活泼。

5. Ancient tune

This is an ancient Miao folk song tune, with a rough, majestic and atmospheric tune and a complex musical structure. 古歌调 这是一种古老的苗族民歌歌调，曲调粗犷、雄浑大气，曲式结构复杂。

Features

1. The forms of Xiangxi folk songs are diverse

The Xiangxi folk songs are in various forms. At first, the Xiangxi folk songs were called "Sa" in Miao dialect, which generally refers to some songs formed in some rituals during ancient times.Subsequently, the ancient folk songs developed into various forms and was no longer bound by rituals. According to the singing tone, it can be divided into "Shao Wu" and "Shao Sa", "Shao Wu" refers to the singing technique of using high cadence, which is often freer and more aggressive in melody while singing, so that the songs sound more passionate and resounding. In contrast, "Shao Sa" sounds more gentle, with a soothing melody and small ups and downs. “Shao Sa” generally sings some stories with strong narrative and sometimes adds some improvised content. Its speed can be fast or slow, more flexible, with certain local characteristics unique to western Hunan. 特点 1.民歌的形式多样 湘西民歌的形式多种多样。起初，湘西民歌在苗语中被称为“萨”，一般指在古代祭祀活动中一些仪式所形成的一些歌曲，后来逐渐演变为多种形式，并且体裁也渐渐多样化和复杂化。首先按照演唱的腔调可以分为“韶吾”和“韶萨”，“韶唔”主要是指采用高腔的演唱技巧，在演唱时往往比较自由，旋律比较激进，演唱出来的歌曲就更为激昂高亢。相比之下，“韶萨”就比较平缓，旋律舒缓，起伏小，一般是演唱一些故事，叙事性更强，而且有时会添加一些即兴演唱的内容，速度可快可慢，比较灵活，具有一定的湘西所特有的地方特色。

2. Xiangxi folk songs are demanding to performance.

The western Hunan features in mountainous natural environment. The terrain is undulating and rugged, so the ethnic minorities living in this area used to call out to each other with their high and loud voices in the early days. Based on this fact, Xiangxi folk songs’ vocal range span widely, the tone color is ringing, the power of penetrating is high, while they are also characterized by their high volume and duration. Consequently, they hold high requirements for the singers to have a strong and clear voice, clear articulation, high pitch, and long-lasting singing. This is not only a major characteristic of Xiangxi folk songs, but also a major challenge for singers.This is not only a feature of the folk songs, but also a challenge for the singers. 2. 民歌的演唱难度大 由于湘西地区以山地地形为主，地势起伏较大，地势崎岖，因此在此地居住的少数民族在早些时期少不了以高亢嘹亮的声音互相叫唤。在此基础上产生的湘西民歌音域很广，具有很强的感染力，同时对演唱者的音量和演唱时间长度也有很高的要求。湘西民歌要求演唱者声音结实嘹亮，吐字清晰，音调高亢，而且演唱具有持久性，这不仅是湘西民歌的一大特点，也是对演唱者的一大挑战。

3. The emotion of Xiangxi folk songs is strong and direct.

Xiangxi folk songs were created in the life of ethnic minorities, and they usually improvised songs according to the scenes and events in their life, and convey their current mood and emotions through their songs, thus the folk songs symbolize the endorsement and affection of the minorities towards their life. For example, Xiangxi love songs are very direct in terms of emotional expression, and the musical form is often bright, simple and lively, which reflects the national spirit and characteristics of the minorities people in western Hunan. 3. 民歌的情感浓烈且直接 民歌都是在少数民族的生活中所创作出的，他们通常在生活中依景依事即兴创作歌曲，通过歌声传达自己当下的心情和情感，因此民歌所蕴含的感情色彩是十分浓烈的，民歌就是他们生活的点滴，是他们生活事情的代言。而且，湘西民歌在情感的表达上也是比较直白，例如湘西情歌在情感的表达方式上就是十分直接，在音乐形式上往往选择明快、简洁的形式，这也体现了湘西人民豪放豪客，热情活泼的民族精神和特征。

Representatives

1. Horse Mulberry the Son Take the Lamp- stand

This is a long-standing folk song of Sang Zhi(a rural city in Zhang Jiajie, Hunan province). This folk song is a clasic and stems from a period of history:In the Ming Dynasty, the chieftain of Sang Zhi led thousands of Tujia minority people of Sangzhi to resist Japanese aggression three times in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Korea at the call of the court. His singing always accompanied the soldiers' tough journey. This folk song is a representative piece of China's intangible cultural heritage Sangzhi folk songs, as well as a classic work in the treasure trove of Chinese folk songs. 代表歌曲 1.《马桑树儿搭灯台》 这是一首传唱久远的桑植民歌。这首歌是一首经典民歌，同时也蕴含了丰富历史：在明代，桑植土司率桑植数千土家儿郎应朝廷的召唤，远赴江浙、朝鲜三度抗倭，土司的歌声伴随着战士们的整个征程。这首民歌被收入中国非物质文化遗产之中，同时也是中国民歌宝库中的经典之作。

2. Wu Daoshui is a Good Place

Wu Daoshui is a Good Place is a representative song of the Tu Jia folk songs in western Hunan, with strong local characteristics and folk style rhythm and tune. The language of vocal melody has fulfilled by its tension and power. 2.《五道水是好地方》 《五道水是好地方》是湘西土家族民歌的代表歌曲，具有浓厚的地方特色和民俗风格的节奏和曲调。声乐旋律的语言具有张力和动力。

3. There is Good Water in High Mountains

This song depicts the clear stream in the mountains, describing the beautiful scenery of the mountains in a affectionate language, conveying the imagery of the beauty of nature. The clear, cool and melodious sound of the water expressed in the lyrics brings warm joy to the visitors and brings people into close contact with nature, making them feel peaceful and full of courage. 3.《高山有好水》 这首歌曲描写了山中的清溪,以一种深情的语言来描绘高山的美丽景色,传达了自然之美的意象。歌词中表达的清晰、清凉、悠扬的水声,把温馨的欢乐带给游人,让人们与大自然亲密接触,使心情祥和而又充满勇气。

Conclusion

Folk songs have great national characteristics and have endured and spread widely in the history. The contemporary folk songs will continue to inherit by combining national characteristics and features of the modern times，attracting more attention from domestic people and even the whole world. 结论 民歌具有鲜明的民族特色，在历史上经久不衰，流传广泛。当代民歌将结合民族特色和时代特征继续传承下去，吸引着国内乃至全世界人的目光。

Reference

[1]https://www.kdhlw.com/p/259822.htmlhttps://baike.baidu.com/item/湘西苗族民歌/6199871?fromtitle=湘西民歌&fromid=16180283&fr=aladdin [2]Yang Nenghua, Li Jianmei杨能华,李健美.An investigation of the musical characteristics of Miao songs, the folk songs of western Hunan [J]. The Sound of Yellow River湘西民歌——苗歌的音乐特点探究[J].黄河之声,2020(02):27-28.DOI:10.19340/j.cnki.hhzs.2020.02.011. [3]An Qi安琦.A study on the characteristics and singing style of Miao folk songs in Xiangxi[J]. Guizhou Ethnic Studies湘西苗族民歌的特点及演唱风格研究[J].贵州民族研究,2017,38(03):84-87.DOI:10.13965/j.cnki.gzmzyj10026959.2017.03.019.

Terms and Expressions

1.Miao ethnic minority—苗族

2.Tujia ethnic minority—土家族 3.Receiving the bride—接亲 4.Weeping marriage—哭嫁 5.Dragging Cavity—拖腔 6.Vocal Range—音域 7.Horse mulberry the son take the lamp- stand—《马桑树儿搭灯台》 8.Sang Zhi—桑植 9.chieftain—土司，族长 10.Wu Daoshui is a Good Place—《五道水是个好地方 11.There is Good Water in High Mountains—《高山有好水》 12.Intangible Cultural Heritage—非物质文化遗产

Question

1.Which four provinces are the folk songs widely distributed in？. 2.According to the singing forms, how many categories can folk songs be divided into mainly？ 3.What are the features of the folk songs？ 4.Which song is the representative of Tujia ethic minority？ 5.Are the folk songs easy to perform？

Answers

1. Hunan，Hubei，Chongqing，Guizhou 2. Five. 3. The forms of Xiangxi folk songs are diverse. ;Xiangxi folk songs are demanding to performance.; The emotion of Xiangxi folk songs is strong and direct. 4. Wu Daoshui is a Good Place. 5. No