Xiaoshuijing Miao Ethnic Village and Xiaoshuijing Miao Farmers Choir in Fumin County, Kunming
Overview
Xiaoshuijing Village (小水井村) is located in Fumin County (富民县), northwest of Kunming (昆明). The village has gained fame for its authentic Miao (苗族) folk songs, thanks to a native farmers’ choir known for its ecological singing style. The choir has performed on CCTV (中央电视台) and at international concerts, earning the reputation of being “the heavenly sounds from deep within the mountains.”
Location and Environment
- Location: Xiaoshuijing is part of the Shuke Village Committee (束刻村委会) under the Yongding Town (永定镇) sub-district office, situated northeast of the sub-district office.
- Distance: 4.5 kilometers from the village committee and 17 kilometers from the sub-district office.
- Area and Elevation: Covers an area of 3.24 square kilometers with an elevation of 2,259 meters.
- Climate: Average annual temperature of 13°C and annual rainfall of 840 millimeters, suitable for growing crops like corn and wheat.
Xiaoshuijing (Small Well) is located in the southeastern quarter of Fumin Town, 17 kilometers away from Daying Town’s government, and can be accessed by a village road. The village is at an elevation of 2.38 km, and consists of 138 families, 447 people, all of whom are of Miao minority. It is also the biggest Miao village in Kunming.
There is a comparatively big Church in the village with a choir that sings beautifully. Miao villagers there have their ethnic group’s instruments; songs and dances are well established traditionally with simple and adorned social customs. Xiaoshuijing Miao Farmers Choir was first organized in 1986, and it has more than 63 members now. The group can sing over 400 songs and within 3 days they can learn and harmonize a new song. The oldest member in the choir is 36 years old while the youngest is 15. None of the members has ever been given professional training, they just practice hard every day; and every night they get together and rehearse their songs.
In October of 2003, the Xiaoshuijing Miao Farmers Choir took part in the First Chorus Festival of China’s West Area and won first place. Furthermore, singing 《The Same Song • Coming to Yunnan》 at a large concert and at the 2004 Kunming China International Tourism Culture Festival, the 63 members of the Xiaoshuijing Miao Farmers Choir all wore their gorgeous, traditional Miao costumes; and with their pure voices and without musical accompaniment, they sang《Please stay, guests from far away》,《The Same Song》, and 《Goodbye, Dear Friend》. These three Miao folk song’s unique sound, in addition to their beautiful harmony, made it seem that the audiences were in a forest and enjoyed the sounds of nature. China Chorus Association, Yunnan Chorus Society, etc. all claim, Xiaoshuijing Miao Farmers Choir is sound as “A perfect combination of folk singing style and beautiful four-part choir” and “The purest singing to ever come from farmlands”. Their sound is remarkably like the sounds heard in nature. After the president of the China Chorus Association attended their singing, he critiqued it saying, “Xiaoshuijing Choir’s sound is not only bel canto, but also has a Miao peculiarity, harmony with nature, and does not have any artificial air. They were devoted into the performance and it was very moving.”
Cultural Significance of the Choir
The Xiaoshuijing Miao Farmers Choir was organized in 1986 and currently consists of over 63 members who can sing over 400 songs. The choir’s performances are characterized by:
- Training: Members have no formal training but practice diligently, gathering each night to rehearse.
- Awards: The choir has won numerous accolades, including first place at the First Chorus Festival of China’s West Area in 2003.
- Performance Style: They sing without musical accompaniment, producing pure harmonies that reflect their cultural heritage. Their songs incorporate traditional Miao lyrics and styles.
Notable Achievements
- The choir has performed at major events, including the 2004 Kunming China International Tourism Culture Festival, where they sang traditional songs such as “Please Stay, Guests from Far Away” and “Goodbye, Dear Friend.”
- The choir’s performances have been praised for their unique blend of folk singing and four-part harmonies, described as “a living fossil of Western Baroque choral music.”
Community and Heritage
Xiaoshuijing Village is home to over 470 Miao people, making it the largest natural Miao community in Kunming. Key aspects of the village and choir include:
- Cultural Preservation: The choir preserves traditional Miao singing forms and reflects the villagers’ love for their homeland and nature.
- Accessibility: Anyone with a good voice can join the choir, fostering community involvement.
- Influence of Western Music: The choir integrates elements of Western church music, contributing to its unique sound.
Future Plans
The choir aims to:
- Expand their repertoire to include more Western and traditional Miao songs.
- Provide opportunities for tourists to experience authentic Miao culture.
- Perform internationally, having already toured to New Zealand in 2019.
Contact Information
- Location: Yongding Neighborhood, Fumin County
- Telephone: 136 6973 2558
- Choir Contact: 139 8716 6302
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