Drums and gongs play an important role in the history of Chinese culture, while Shaanxi is China's gong resort. From project completion, opening ceremony to festival celebration, drums and gongs are performed to stir the atmosphere. The playing of drums and gongs has become a tool of entertainment and social contact for Shaanxi people. Shaanxi drums is famous for its lively rhythm, rough vigor, tumultuous tones, diversified forms and mighty momentum. It is suitable for both outdoor performances and stage performances. The hot atmosphere and playing tricks of the drums and gongs possess its own masculine beauty, making it a popular activity among local people. There are various of drums and gongs in Shaanxi, among which the Ansai waist drum, Luochuan bounce drum, Yichuan chest drum, and Xianyang ox-pulled drum will be introduced in details.
Shaanbei yangko dance, which has a long history and various forms, is a kind of folk square dance art. The colorful and bustling dance can stir the atmosphere. Shaanbei yangko could be divided into two parts: “Dayangko”and “Ti Changzi”. Dayangko is a kind of collective singing and dancing activity performed in the square. It is famous for its grand scale and warm atmosphere, combined with the agile steps and bold songs. Traditional festival entertainment like lion dancing, dragon lantern, stilt shows, land boat and race-donkey dance can be seen when Dayangko is performed. “Ti Changzi” is a kind of yangko dance with an even number of participants, with men holding the color fans while women waving the colored silks. The paired performing form making Ti Changzi a vigorous and unrestrained, while soft and delicate activity. On major holidays, people will spontaneously organize Yangko performances and competitions. The whole area is in a warm atmosphere.“twisting”is the main feature of Shaanbei yangko dance, so it is also called “twisting yangko”. In the accompaniment of gongs and drums, the yangko dancers twist their heads and arms, centering on the waist. They move forward and back, jump to the left and right, marching in cross-shaped steps. The dancers move in uniform steps, with color silks waving, color fans moving and dancers singing sometimes. There are mainly three roles in yangko dancing: Santou (the leader of yangko team, hold an umbrella in his hand when marching forward. The umbrella means the remove of ill fortune), Wen/Wu Sheng (the characters features in singing and martial role) and Chou (wear thick make-ups in their faces). In modern times, the roles of yangko dance have undergone reforms. The dancers can wear modern clothes, with red ribbons tied around the waist. They can use hammer ,sickle or colored umbrella as their props. The “Chou” performers could be neglected, or combined with Overlord Whip (a kind of vigorous dance by using the long sticks and making strong voices). When the Party' Central Committee settled in Yan'an (1935-1948, from Long March to the end of Liberation War), yangko developed into a large mass entertainment, celebration and campaign activity. During the spring,yangko dancing became a pleasure for both soldiers and civilians. After the liberation, yangko dance is spread across the country and become a popular art form.
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