Talk:Chinese Language and Culture - 2025
Final Exam Paper
Hand-waving Dance(Baishou Dance)
Introduction
The Tujia people are good at singing and dancing, who call themselves "Bizika", which means "local people" in Tujia language. People of this ethnic group will perform an extremely representative traditional dance called "Sheba Ri" during the Tujia New Year. "Sheba" is translated into Chinese as "waving hands", and "Ri" as "doing", so "Sheba Ri" can be freely translated as "hand-waving dance"[1]. It originally was a form of sacrifice and praying for the Tujia people. A large number of people gather together, waving their hands rhythmically and in unison. Their movements are powerful yet agile, bringing much joy and vitality to them. Hand-waving Dance carries the collective memory and folk customs of the Tujia people, embodies the people's yearning for a better life, and shows an important way of social entertainment and cultural inheritance.
Origin and custom
The Hand-waving Dance is deeply rooted in the ancient sacrificial culture of the Tujia people, with a history of over 2,000 years. In Yongshun County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province, there is a Tujia village called Shuangfengqi, where the local people still use the Tujia language. Some of these locals believe that the origin of the Hand-waving Dance is related to a war. In this ancient war, to lure the enemy into the territory, the Tusi king ordered the local people to dance and sing. When the enemy was attracted to watch the singing and dancing, the king sent people to capture them, and finally won the war. Later generations, in commemoration of this victory, initiated the Hand-waving Dance[1]. This also proves that the origin of the dance is related to war.
Numerous ancient texts record that the ancient Hand-waving Dance was a sacrificial dance performed by the Tujia people after hunting and harvesting, with an aim to thank heaven, earth and their ancestors. It can be divided into "Grand Hand-waving Dance" and "Small Hand-waving Dance" based on the number of dancers. The former involves hundreds or even thousands of participants, while the latter involves dozens to a hundred people. Every year during the Lunar New Year (in the first lunar month) and Qingming Festival (in the third lunar month), the Tujia people gather in front of the "Baishoutang"( Hall of Hand-waving) to perform the Dance, with the event lasting three to five days. While performing the dance, the Tujia people sing "Baishou Songs" to trace their ethnic origins, migration history, and praise the arduous pioneering spirit of their ancestors in founding the community.
The Grand Hand-waving Dance is large in scale. When dancing, men and women form teams, holding dragon and phoenix flags, wearing Xilan Kapu (traditional Tujia brocade), blowing ox horns, earthen horns, and suonas, and setting off three-eyed cannons. The Tujia elder leads the way into the Baishoutang, carrying a copper bell and a ritual knife, wearing a tall hat and an eight-panel skirt. During the dance, symbolic movements resembling soldiers going to war are performed, including thrusting and confrontation. Because it is associated with receiving the inspection of ancestors, the large hand-waving dance inevitably evokes a sense of frenzy and fervor. If these elements were removed, it would undoubtedly be a magnificent sporting and artistic activity. The small hand-waving dance, also known as the farming dance, is smaller in scale and simpler in form. Its content includes sweeping the ground in the first lunar month; cutting grass, inviting the blacksmith, making farm tools, and digging soil in the second month; plowing fields in the third month; sowing seeds in the fourth month; transplanting rice seedlings and weeding in the fifth month; weeding twice in the sixth month; threshing rice in the seventh month; carrying corn in the eighth month; breaking down the cattle pen in the ninth month; planting wheat in the tenth month; hunting in the eleventh month; and preparing for the New Year in the twelfth month. The small hand-waving dance is led by the person presiding over the sacrificial ceremony, with one person playing the drum and gong. Participants form a circle, dancing while turning. By incorporating elements of the Tujia people's production and daily life, its form is more life-like, entertaining, and popular, making the dance more widely practiced.
It can be seen that the Hand-waving Dance is closely related to the traditional customs of the Tujia people. Over time, it has gradually evolved from a purely religious ritual into a folk art that reflects the life and beliefs of the people, and has gradually shed its sacrificial procedures into an entertaining dance.
Movements and Forms
The characteristics of the Baishou dance are its simple yet rhythmic movements, with the waving of hands as the core, accompanied by steady steps against the backdrop of music. The dancers mainly move in circles or in formations, with men and women holding hands, swinging their hands up and down, left and right. The dance movements imitate daily labor scenes such as rice planting, plowing, and weaving, as well as historical battle scenes including archery. There is a segment called "Brother and Sister Getting Married", which narrates the myths and legends about human reproduction and vividly shows the ancient consanguineous marriage in people's memory[2]. The accompaniment relies on traditional instruments such as drums, gongs, and flutes. The overall style is both cheerful and solemn, which not only reflects the diligence of the Tujia people, but also contains their awe of nature and ancestors. In addition to sacrifice and commemoration, the development process of the Hand-waving dance also records the historical process of the nation's development.
Distribution and Inheritance
Today, the Hand-waving Dance is mainly prevalent in Xiangxi of Hunan Province (including Longshan, Baojing, Yongshun, Guzhang and other counties) and Laifeng County in Hubei Province[2]. Among them, Laifeng County is one of the core areas of inheritance. Thanks to its unique geographical environment and rich cultural traditions, the county has completely preserved the original features of the Dance. Local elders have passed down the dance movements, songs and related customs from generation to generation. Some schools even use the Dance in students' recess exercises. As an important part of China's intangible cultural heritage, the Hand-waving Dance has always been cherished and promoted by all sectors of society, and plays an important role in maintaining and inheriting the Tujia culture.
References
1. Yuan Ge. A Study on the Origin of the Tujia Baishou Dance [J]. Social Scientist, 2004 (3): 74-75.
2. Editorial Department of the Collection of Chinese Ethnic Folk Dances. Collection of Chinese Ethnic Folk Dances · Hunan Volume (Part 1) [Z]. China Dance Press. 1991.
3. Baidu Encyclopedia
Terms
1. Bizika: A Tujia language word, directly translated into Chinese as "Tujia".
2. Hand-waving Dance(Baishou Dance): A traditional folk dance of the Tujia people, originating from sacrificial rituals.
3. Tujia New Year: The biggest Tujia celebration. Also known as "Guogannian", it coincides with Chinese New Year ( Spring Festival , between January 21 and February 20 on the Western calendar) and is generally celebrated one day earlier than the true date. Each family butchers a pig, makes mung bean noodles, cooks sticky rice wine, make wine.
4. Sheba Ri: The Tujia name for the Hand-waving Dance, meaning "dancing in reverence for the gods".
5. Tusi: A special political system in China, where successive feudal dynasties ruled over ethnic minority areas by granting hereditary titles to local leaders.
6. Tusi King: Based on legends about historical figures, the Tusi King is often depicted as a ruler who, after possessing extraordinary skills and eliminating evil for the people, was granted a title by imperial decree.
7. Baishoutang: A traditional Tujia venue used for worshipping ancestors and performing the Hand-waving Dance.
8. Baishou Song: Also known as "Sheba Song", it is a song sung during the traditional Hand-waving Dance, serving as an important cultural carrier for worshipping ancestors and praying for a good harvest.
9. Intangible Cultural Heritage: Cultural practices, traditions, and art forms passed down through generations.
Questions
1.What is the original purpose of Baishou Dance?
2.What movements and art forms are combined in Baishou Dance?
3.Where is Baishou Dance mainly inherited and popular today?
Answers
1.Its original purpose was to worship ancestors, pray for good harvests, and seek blessings for the community.
2.It combines rhythmic hand-waving movements, steady steps, singing, music (from drums, gongs, flutes, etc.), and dramatic elements. The dance movements imitate daily labor scenes such as rice planting, plowing, and weaving, as well as historical battle scenes including archery.
3.It is mainly popular in western Hunan (Longshan, Baojing, Yongshun counties) and Laifeng County, Hubei, with Shemihu Village in Baifusi Town as a key inheritance site.
期末论文
摆手舞
引言
土家族是一个能歌善舞的民族，自称为“毕兹卡”，意思是“本地人”。本族人在“年节”上都要跳一种极富代表性的传统舞蹈——“舍巴日”。“舍巴”译为汉语“摆手”，“日”译为“做”，故“舍巴日”可以意译为“摆手舞”[1]。它原本是土家族人祭祀、祈祷活动的一种形式，众人齐聚一堂，有节奏地整齐挥舞双手，动作刚劲有力又不失灵动，满是欢乐与活力，承载着土家族的集体记忆与民俗风情，凝聚着族人对美好生活的向往，也是社交娱乐、传承文化的重要方式。
起源与民俗
摆手舞深深植根于土家族古老的祭祀文化，其历史可以追溯至2000多年前。湖南湘西土家族苗族自治州的永顺县有一个土家族山寨叫双风栖,至今当地人还会使用土家语,在他们看来摆手舞的起源于一场战争。在这场古代战争中,为诱敌深入,土司王下令让当地百姓跳舞唱歌,等到敌人被引来观看歌舞时,土司王便派人将敌人捉住,最终取得战争的胜利，后来的人们为纪念这一胜利,便兴起了摆手舞[1]。这也证明土家族摆手舞的起源与战争有关联。
大量的古籍资料记载了古老的摆手舞是土家族在狩猎劳作收获之后,用于谢天地、祖先的祭祀舞蹈。根据跳舞者数量的多少可以分为“大摆手舞”和“小摆手舞”,数百上千人参加的谓之“大摆手舞”，数十上百人参加的则是后者。土家族人在每年正月新春、三月清明,集合到“摆手堂”前跳摆手舞，活动时间为三、五天不等。跳摆手舞的同时土家人要唱“摆手歌”,为了追溯本民族的来源、迁徒的历史,同时赞颂祖先的艰苦创业。
大摆手舞规模大,人们跳舞时,男女结队,举起龙凤大旗,身披西兰卡普,吹起牛角、土号、唢呐,点响三眼炮,土老司手执铜铃司刀,戴风冠高帽,系八幅罗裙作前导,进入摆手堂,期间有如军人出征打仗,有刺杀、对阵等象征性动作。因与接受祖宗的检阅联系在一起, 大摆手舞不免使人产生一种迷狂,让人感到热血,如果去掉这些，它不失为一项气势壮阔的体育艺术活动。而小摆手舞规模小，又名农事舞，形式简单，其内容有正月扫地：二月砍草、接铁匠、打农具、挖土；三月耕田；四月撒种；五月插秧、除草；六月除二道草；七月打谷子；八月背包谷；九月重阳打破牛栏；十月小阳春种麦子；十一月打猎；十二月办年货。小摆手舞由主持祭祀仪式的人带头,一人打鼓兼敲锣,围成圆圈,一边转一边跳。因融入了土家族人民生产、生活内容,形式更加生活化、娱乐化、大众化,小摆手舞活动更为普及化。 由此可见这种舞蹈与土家族的传统习俗紧密相关。随着时间的推移，它从纯粹的宗教仪式逐渐演变为反映土家族生活与信仰的民间艺术，已逐渐褪去祭祀程序，发展成为纯粹的娱乐性的歌舞。
动作与形式
摆手舞的特点是动作简洁而富有韵律，以摆手动作为核心，在音乐的背景下搭配沉稳的步伐。舞者主要以圆圈或队列形式移动，男女相携，双手上下、左右挥动，舞蹈动作模仿插秧、耕地、织布等日常劳作场景，以及射箭等历史上的征战画面。其中有一段“兄妹成亲”,叙述了关于人类繁衍的神话传说,形象地表现了人们记忆中的远古人类血缘群婚制[2]。伴奏则依靠鼓、锣、笛子等传统乐器。整体风格既欢快又庄重，既体现了土家族人的勤劳的本色，也饱含着他们对自然和祖先的敬畏之情。摆手舞的发展过程除了带有祭祀、纪念等内容外,还记录着民族发展的历史过程。
分布与传承
如今，摆手舞主要流传于湖南省湘西地区（包括龙山、保靖、永顺、古丈等县）和湖北省来凤县等地[2]。其中，来凤县是核心传承地之一。得益于独特的地理环境和浓厚的文化传统，该县完整保留了摆手舞的原始风貌，当地老人将舞蹈动作、歌曲和相关习俗代代相传，有的学校甚至将摆手舞用在学生课间操活动中。作为中国非物质文化遗产的重要组成部分，摆手舞一直受到各界的珍视与推广，在维系和传承土家族文化等方面发挥着重要作用。
参考文献
1.袁革. 土家族摆手舞源考[J]. 社会科学家, 2004 (3): 74-75.
2.中国民族民间舞蹈集成编辑部. 中国民族民间舞蹈集成·湖南卷上[Z]. 中国舞蹈出版社. 1991.
3.百度百科
术语
1.毕兹卡：土家族的语言，汉语直译为“土家”
2.摆手舞：土家族传统民间舞蹈，起源于祭祀仪式
3.年节：土家族最富特色的节日
4.舍巴日：摆手舞的土家语名称，意为 “敬神而跳”
5.土司：土司制度是我国历代封建王朝在少数民族地区，通过分封地方首领世袭管职，以统治当地人民的一种特殊政治制度
6.土司王：依据历史人物编撰的传说，土司王形象多为身怀绝技、为民除害后受皇命敕封的统治者
7.摆手堂：土家族用于祭祀祖先和跳摆手舞的传统场所
8.摆手歌：又称“社巴歌”，是土家族传统摆手舞活动中演唱的歌曲，为祭祀祖先、祈求丰年的重要文化载体
9.非物质文化遗产：世代相传的文化实践、传统和艺术形式
问题
1.摆手舞最初的用途是什么？
2.摆手舞融合了哪些动作和艺术形式？
3.如今摆手舞主要在哪些地方流传和传承？
答案
1.最初用于祭拜祖先、祈求丰收和为族人祈福。 2.融合了韵律感强的摆手动作、沉稳的步伐，以及歌唱、音乐（鼓、锣、笛子等伴奏）和戏剧元素。 3.主要流传于湖南湘西（龙山、保靖、永顺县）和湖北来凤县等地，百福司镇舍米湖村是核心传承地。