| Huayao |
Huayao is a branch of Yi ethnic in Yunnan Provice, also known as Nisu,gaining its name of “huayao”(floral waist-line”)from the beautiful and colorful dressing of local women, characterized by delicate embroideries. The total Huayao Yi population of 30,000 all live in three villages in the north of Shiing County of Yunnan.
The unique Haicai ballad of Yi was among the first to be listed as part of the intangible cultural heritage of China. Huayao people until now keeps much of its traditional customs and folk culture. Songs and dances are important tools in local people’s communications and emotional expression. They are indisposable parts of various traditional rituals and customs.
Even now many people can sing and dance in the traditional fashion, giving a glimpse of the ancient life in the region. The singing and dancing steps have colorful and complicated variations.
Also, Huayao music and dances are happy, rich in variation and expressiong and are pleasant to the eyes as well as the ears. Performance from “Yi’s playground” souwcases not only the most acclaimed Haicaiqiang ballad, but more importantly the original presence of folk music and dance. The show is made up of two parts. The first part presents songs and dances on the playground, a group dating event of Huayao youth ,when people ance and sing all night long ,both for entertainment and wooing. That has been the main channel and motivation for the tradition to pass on. Now with the development of the society, real “Yi’s playground” can no longer be found. All participants of the performance are people with experience in the real “playground” in the past. Their performance are vivid and touching, and precious.
Another important occasion for the performance is religious rituals. When the rice is harvest, sacrifice is given to the god of rice; at funerals there are special rituals too. Songs are given for all kinds of occasions. At the traditional Dragon festival, all people in the community come up in a circle , singing and dancing together.
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