Midu Folk Song in Midu County, Dali

Historical Origin

  • Origin: Midu folk songs refer to the folk songs passed down within Midu County in Yunnan Province, represented by tunes such as “Xiao He Tang Shui” (Little River Flows), “Midu Shan Ge” (Midu Mountain Song), “Shi Da Jie” (Ten Sisters), and “Xiu He Bao” (Embroidering a Purse). These songs encompass various musical genres, including mountain songs, folk tunes, dance songs, and custom-related songs, and are the collective term for the folk songs of Han and ethnic minorities in Midu.
  • Cultural Background: Midu folk songs are a composite system of diverse cultures, formed by the integration and condensation of various cultures. They are primarily based on the ancient Dian cultures such as “He Man Culture,” “Bo Ren Culture,” “Ai Lao Culture,” and “Cuan Ren Culture,” which merged into the “Nanzhao Culture.” Over time, they developed by incorporating elements from the Yangtze River and Yellow River cultures of Central China. This rich cultural heritage has made Midu a “treasure chest” of ethnic traditional culture.

Artistic Form

  • Performance Style: Midu folk songs are typically performed as duets between men and women, often in a call-and-response format. The singing style usually employs falsetto (a high-pitched voice), with a melody range generally within a twelfth. The modal system is predominantly based on the Yu mode (6th degree). The song structure is often in three parts (A+B+C), where the “B” section is usually a supporting phrase. The lyrics are mostly in couplets, inspired by the surroundings and emotions, often improvised. The melody structure is relatively loose, and different performers in the same region may have varying interpretations. These songs are usually performed without accompaniment.
  • Types of Folk Songs:
    • Mountain Songs: These include Han ethnic songs like “Tian Geng Diao” (Field Ridge Tune) and “Geng Zi Diao”, as well as songs shared by Han and Yi ethnic groups, such as “Guo Shan Diao” (Crossing the Mountain Tune), “Fang Yang Diao” (Herding Sheep Tune), and “Shan Ge Zi Diao”. Adapted mountain songs like “Xiao He Tang Shui” and “Midu Shan Ge”, and regional songs like “Mi Di Diao”, “Mi Zhi Diao”, and “Er Li Ban Qiang” are also popular. Mountain songs often deal with themes of marriage and love, are sung in open fields, and feature high-pitched and free-rhythmed melodies.
    • Folk Tunes: These are divided into local folk tunes and Huadeng (lantern festival) folk tunes. Local folk tunes, such as “Gan Ma Diao” (Horse Herding Tune) and “Xiao Xiao Hu Lu Kai Bai Hua”, are deeply rooted in Midu’s local culture. Huadeng folk tunes, transmitted through various historical channels, have blended with Han, Yi, and Bai cultures to form a unique regional style. Representative songs include “Xiu He Bao”, “Xiu Xiang Dai”, and “Yuan Xiao Hua Gu”.
    • Dance Songs: The “Da Ge Diao” (Song for Circle Dance) is a representative and ancient Yi ethnic song type. The circle dance is performed on various occasions such as festivals, celebrations, and weddings and funerals. Its content covers a wide range of topics, including the formation of the world, the origin of humanity, and ethnic migration. Due to differences in Yi sub-branches and living environments, the circle dance tunes in areas like Xi Shan and Niu Jie in Midu exhibit diverse musical styles.
    • Custom-Related Songs: These include songs for weddings such as “Ku Jia Ge” (Wedding Lament Song), “Ying Qin Diao”, and “Song Qin Diao”, and for funerals such as “Ku Wang Diao” (Mourning the Deceased) and “Zhi Lu Ge”. There are also various songs used in sacrificial activities.

Heritage and Protection

  • Current Status: Midu folk songs were listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2004. However, with social development and the passing of older generations of folk singers, the传承of Midu folk songs has faced challenges and is at risk of being lost.
  • Protection Measures: The Midu County government has implemented several initiatives to protect and promote Midu folk songs. These include hosting events like the “Xiao He Tang Shui” Singer Competition and the Dali Midu Folk Song Festival, establishing ecological protection zones for Midu folk songs, and strengthening the队伍建设of intangible cultural heritage传承people. Additionally, Midu has integrated folk song culture into tourism, creating new cultural tourism products that combine traditional folk songs with modern music elements, thereby enhancing the influence and vitality of Midu folk songs.