I. Historical origin
The long valley Yao language of Jianghua Yao nationality is called "Bogong" with a long history. In the second year of Shaoxing in the Southern Song Dynasty (1 132), the Table of Twelve Yao People Crossing the Mountain was released on May 3, which read: "In front of the imperial palace, Wang wore a long-sleeved gown, a long waist wooden drum, a red scarf and a pipa singing." According to records, Yao drums have a history of more than 800 years.
Two. Classification of long rollers
Long drums are divided into three types according to their shapes: small, medium and large. The small long drum, also called short drum, is about 70-90 cm long, with a waist diameter of 4-5 cm and a drum surface diameter of 8- 10 cm at both ends. The medium-long drum, also known as the long waist drum or yellow mud drum, is about1130 cm long, with a waist diameter of 15-20 cm and a drum surface diameter of 25-30 cm at both ends. The big drum, also known as Saigu, is about 180-200 cm long, with a waist diameter of 20-25 cm and a drum surface diameter of 30-40 cm at both ends.
4 long drum making
Long drums are usually made of Sha Tong wood and covered with cowhide and sheepskin. 1.2 meters long, small in the middle and big at both ends, one of which is slightly more than one third. The wooden heart is hollowed out, the two corners are wrapped with refined yellow sheepskin, and then the two pieces of yellow sheepskin are tied tightly with 6 to 8 dyed hemp ropes, and then painted with red, yellow and white colors, and painted with dragon and phoenix patterns to beautify the drum body. When dancing, dancers tie two "drum necks" with ribbons, hang them on their shoulders and cross them at their waists. The right hand holds the palm, and the left hand holds the bamboo piece to drum separately, and with the beat of the music, it makes a clang sound of "swish, swish and bang". If more than four people beat the drum, it will make a "crack" sound with the beat of the music. If accompanied by horns, gongs and suona, it will be as wonderful as ancient queues, drums and horns, mountains and valleys.
5 forms of expression
The drumming action of the long drum mostly shows the contents of production and life, such as building houses, ploughing fields, farming, imitating animals and animal movements, etc. , lifelike, full of life. Drumming can be divided into martial arts. Literary and artistic movements are gentle and slow, and martial arts are rough and unrestrained; Two people fight, four people fight, or a large group of people fight in a circle. The atmosphere was warm and the drums were loud.
6 style characteristics
The Long Drum Dance mostly reflects the production struggle and life customs of the Yao family, and reflects the thoughts, feelings and ideals of the Yao people, which has a unique Yao style. In the form and program of performance, it fully shows the personality characteristics and temperament of Yao nationality. Dance movements are rough, brave, unrestrained, vigorous and free and easy; The rhythm is lively and agile. Dance vocabulary imitates climbing mountains and setting mountains, crossing streams and valleys, cutting down trees and transporting wood, and killing dragons and tigers. The image is vivid and clear at a glance. Almost all Yao dances are mass and square, with certain props, such as long drums, flower drums, horns and parasols. These constitute the national style, which is loved by the masses and easy to spread. So in festivals, weddings, religions, funerals and other occasions, there are songs and dances, which are very lively.
7 performance time
Yao's Long Drum Dance is a festive dance. On traditional festivals such as "Chinese New Year" and "Playing karaoke bars" on the lunar calendar 10/6, or on festive occasions such as bumper harvests and marriage, young singers improvise and leap forward, which is really spectacular. Yao people usually play long drums on March 3rd, June 6th, August 15th and October 16th of the lunar calendar. Especially on1October 16, Wang Pan Festival of Yao people is the most popular. "Counter-offer King" has a three-year wish and a twelve-year wish; I would like to play the long drum for three days and three nights, and I would like to play it for seven days and seven nights. Before the founding of People's Republic of China (PRC), this activity was organized by clans with the same surname. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, organizations were organized in villages, not limited to the above festivals. Long drums can be played on National Day, Spring Festival or when celebrating harvest.
8 evolutionary category
Because of the different time and geographical environment when Yao people entered Jianghua area, it evolved into various forms of long drum dance: Pangu long drum dance, Lusheng long drum dance, Yang Jiao short drum dance, Gong Sheng long drum dance and so on.
The Pangu Long Drum Dance, which spreads in Weizhukou, Jianghua Yao Autonomous County, is a dance in Wang Pan's "wishing ceremony". In addition to inviting two long drummers, four singers (two men and two women) were invited to accompany Pangu Song, which is the "flower-pulling" of Yao people. The whole ceremony is divided into three stages: petitioning, dismounting, opening heaven, ordering soldiers, inspecting teachers, sectioning, removing seedlings and praying around. Pangu Changgu Drum Dance is only performed in petitions and prayers, accompanied by gongs and drums, and the steps are slow and heavy.
Yangjiao short drum dance is popular in Pingdi Yao in Jianghua Yao Autonomous County. Performed by seven people, one leading the bow or angle, two leading the angle, four leading the short drum, singing and dancing, interspersed with "wild sheep pry, wild sheep pry" songs, with two flutes, two competition drums hanging on both sides of the dance floor, beating drums to set off the atmosphere according to the musical rhythm. Lusheng Long Drum Dance is popular in Gaotan, Jianghua Yao Autonomous County. Seven people performed, one boasted and led the dance with a bow, two played lusheng, two played long drums and one played gong. The performers danced around the square table. The whole dance is divided into five parts: greeting saints, worshipping, walking, plum blossom and drumming. After each dance, the leader of the dance should shout, "Colorful and graceful", and then walk around with gongs and drums. Rough movements, warm scenes and strong Shan Ye flavor. Gong and drum is a collective dance of Lingdong Yao people in Jianghua Yao Autonomous County. Two people play long drums, two people play lusheng, one plays gong, and the others follow with flags, paper money, two bells and other props. Accompanied by Lusheng, six girls sang and danced with gongs and drums.