Chen Yongxian – Bai Folk Song Singer in Yuanjiang County, Yuxi 

Chen Yongxian (陈永仙) is a Bai (白族) folk song artist from Yinyuan Town (因远镇), Yuanjiang County (元江县), Yuxi City (玉溪市). She is also a provincial-level representative inheritor of intangible cultural heritage. From a young age, she loved singing and dancing and was gifted with a naturally beautiful voice. At the age of six, she began learning Bai folk songs from her mother, a well-known local folk singer, receiving rich musical influence during her childhood.

Personal Background

Birth and Upbringing
Chen Yongxian was born in 1951 in Anren Village (安仁村), Yinyuan Town (因远镇), Yuanjiang County (元江县). Raised in a Bai cultural environment, she developed a deep affection for Bai folk songs.

Artistic Career
Before retirement, Chen was a teacher at the Yinyuan Central Kindergarten (因远中心幼儿园). During her teaching years, she enjoyed teaching children Bai nursery rhymes, passing on Bai culture to the next generation.

Artistic Characteristics

Chen Yongxian’s Bai folk singing is marked by a distinctive artistic style:

Beautiful Melodies
Her singing is melodious and pleasing, with graceful tunes that are deeply loved by local people.

Diverse Themes
Her repertoire covers a wide range of content, including both traditional Bai folk songs and songs reflecting modern life.

Cultural Heritage
Her singing is more than just artistic performance—it is a form of cultural inheritance. Through her voice, she brings the history, culture, and daily life of the Bai people to her audiences.

Social and Cultural Influence

In addition to performing Bai folk songs, Chen Yongxian is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of inheritors. She offers training classes and workshops to teach Bai folk songs to young people. She also actively participates in the “Intangible Cultural Heritage into Schools” (非遗进校园) initiative, introducing Bai folk songs into schools to help more students understand and love this traditional art.

Representative Works

Chen Yongxian’s representative works include Bai folk songs such as Ah, Moon (《啊月亮》). These songs are not only widely sung in her local area but also performed on broader cultural platforms through various events.

Inheritance and Innovation

Building upon traditional Bai folk songs, Chen Yongxian also introduces innovation. She integrates modern musical elements into traditional folk tunes, making Bai songs more appealing to contemporary audiences. She actively participates in cultural events, using performances and teaching to introduce more people to Bai culture.

Chen says:
“As long as children are willing to learn, and as long as I have the energy, I will keep teaching Bai folk songs.”
Her dedication has not only ensured the continuation of Bai folk music but also made significant contributions to the preservation and development of intangible cultural heritage.

Cultivating the Next Generation of Bai Folk Song Inheritors

As a Bai folk song artist from Yinyuan Town (因远镇), Yuanjiang County (元江县), Yuxi City (玉溪市), Chen Yongxian adopts multiple methods to cultivate the next generation of Bai folk song inheritors. Below are some specific approaches:

Bringing Bai Folk Songs into Schools

Chen Yongxian actively participates in the “Intangible Cultural Heritage into Schools” initiative, introducing Bai folk songs into educational settings. For example, at Yinyuan Middle School (因远中学), she teaches students to sing Bai nursery rhymes such as Little Rascal (《小淘气》) and Ah, Moon (《啊月亮》), allowing them to experience the unique charm of traditional culture firsthand. This approach plants the seeds of cultural pride in young hearts and injects new vitality into heritage preservation.

Conducting Summer Singing Courses

At the Yinyuan Community New Era Civilization Practice Station (因远社区新时代文明实践站), Chen leads summer classes in Bai folk singing. Under her guidance, children learn Bai folk songs and explore the charm of intangible cultural heritage. These activities not only enrich their summer vacations but also ensure that Bai songs are passed on to younger generations.

Bringing Singing into Communities

Chen also conducts Bai folk singing activities in local communities. She utilizes community spaces like activity rooms to teach residents how to sing Bai songs, helping more people appreciate and love this traditional art form.

Training Young Inheritors and Fostering Cultural Confidence

Chen explains:
“I come here to teach because I want people to know that learning Bai music is not difficult. I also want the next generation to experience the beauty of intangible heritage and develop cultural confidence.”
Through her practical actions, she has nurtured a group of young inheritors and made significant contributions to the transmission and development of Bai folk songs.

Participating in Cultural Events to Enhance Heritage Awareness

Chen also actively participates in various cultural events such as the Bai “March Festival” (三月会). Through performances, exhibitions, and more, she promotes Bai culture. These activities not only raise the profile of Bai folk songs but also enhance local residents’ awareness of cultural heritage preservation.

Through these efforts, Chen Yongxian has not only ensured the continuation of Bai folk songs but also made notable contributions to the protection and development of intangible cultural heritage.

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