Kunming Tone (Kunming Dialect)

Kunming Tone, also known as Kunming Dialect (昆明调), is a type of traditional folk singing popular in Kunming city and surrounding areas such as Chenggong, Jinning, and ethnic Han regions around Dianchi Lake. It is also sung by certain ethnic minorities in the vicinity of Kunming. The term “Kunming Tone” generally refers to local folk songs, mountain songs, and small tunes that belong to this area. In folk culture, these are often referred to by various names such as “tunes” or “folk songs.”

1. Overview

Kunming Tone is sung in fields and mountains, with no specific seasonal restrictions. Besides everyday singing and pair singing during seasons like rice planting or weeding, large-scale singing activities are often held at annual festivals such as the “March 3rd Mountain Song Festival,” the “June 24th Horse Racing Mountain Song Festival,” the “Yulan Tune Festival,” the “Hongshiyan Song Festival,” and the “Guanyin Mountain Tune Festival.” These events often take the form of a “song contest,” where participants compete by singing improvisational lyrics, guided by “songmasters.” These contests can last several days, with no clear winner until the end.

2. Singing Form

The lyrics of Kunming Tone are broad in scope and encompass various topics such as love, hometown scenery, history, geography, and everyday life. Kunming Tone has many different songs, and some of the most popular ones include Yuan Mountain Tune, Guessing Tune, Big River Rising, Fishing Song, Horse Driving Tune, Sending Off the Young Man Tune, and Fighting Horses Song, among others. The Fishing Song is particularly popular in the western part of Kunming. The melody of this song follows a typical national modal style, using a four-two rhythm, and is known for its ethnic flavor.

While the lyrics of Kunming Tone are simple, the songs are characterized by the frequent use of auxiliary words, which enhance the rhythm and sense of flow. Moreover, the combination of singing and recitation adds variety to the rhythm, making the tunes lively and expressive. This results in a humorous, witty atmosphere that is appreciated by the audience. The singing style often begins with a call-and-response introduction, and some songs use “loop lines,” which are similar to tongue twisters. When sung well, these lines can receive great applause from the audience.

Guessing Tune is one of the most representative forms of Kunming Tone. It is a tune where 56 different things are guessed and answered, stimulating imagination and impressing listeners with its creativity.

3. Cultural Influence

Since the 1950s, Kunming Tone has gained widespread popularity across China, with many of its representative works becoming well-known nationwide. The traditional transmission of these songs is often passed down from parents to children or from experienced singers to newcomers. This practice continues to thrive, especially in areas like the western part of Kunming’s Xishan District.

4. Further Information

For more detailed information, you can refer to the original article in Chinese.