Yanglao Drum Dance of Yi Ethnic Minority in Jinning District, Kunming

Introduction to Yanglao Drum Dance

The Yanglao Drum Dance (秧老鼓舞), a traditional performance form originating in Jinning District (晋宁县), Kunming (昆明), is a significant cultural symbol of the Yi (彝族) ethnic minority. The performance features dancers holding a white towel in their left hand, swinging it up and down, while striking a drum with a wooden stick (approximately 0.25 meters long) in their right hand. The tail of the drumstick is adorned with a square red silk scarf.

Characteristics of the Dance

The leader of the dance, known as the “Longtou” (龙头), holds a specially crafted dragon-shaped head, typically made from 0.6 to 0.7-meter-long ash wood. Forest cock feathers are placed on the dragon’s head, with a decorative red silk tie. The dance is accompanied by various percussion instruments, such as large and small gongs and cymbals. The performance includes over 20 different sequences, such as circle dancing, crossing flowers, stepping on stairways, back-to-back formations, facing each other, the snake’s shedding skin, and prayers for wealth and respect for the four directions. The rhythms alternate between fast and slow beats, with intricate movements such as leaps, T-step walks, leg-kicks, and spins, all coordinated by subtle waist and hip movements.

Historical Development

From the late 1980s to the 1990s, local amateur drama associations were established, leading to the creation of over 70 Yanglao drum teams across various towns, including Baofeng (宝峰), Zhonghe (中和), Kunyang (昆阳), and Erjie (二街), with more than 1,300 members. In July 1992, to commemorate the 587th anniversary of Zheng He’s voyage to the Western seas, over 100 performers from Yanglao drum teams in Shuanghe (双河) and Xiyang (夕阳) received high praise for their performance at an international event.

At the First Kunming International Export Commodities Fair, the Yanglao drum dance was showcased by youth groups from Shuanghe and Xiyang. The performance at the opening ceremony of the 9th Yunnan Provincial Games in 1999, titled Yanggu Cuichun (秧鼓催春), featured 400 Yi youth from Shuanghe, Xiyang, and Erjie, impressing the audience with its ethnic charm, majestic presence, and artistic form.

Cultural Significance and Evolution

The Yanglao Drum Dance has become an integral part of local festivities in Shuanghe Yi Township, especially for weddings, funerals, and various ethnic celebrations. During traditional holidays, the people of Shuanghe perform the dance to express their love for life and their hopes for a better future.

Shuanghe Yi Township has taken significant steps in preserving and innovating Yi traditional culture. Since 2014, local schools have incorporated the Yanglao drum dance into their curriculum, where it is featured in “special big recesses” alongside Yi embroidery. This initiative has helped local children learn traditional dances while engaging in physical activity. Currently, over 60 Yanglao drum teams operate in the township, and monthly cultural performances called Yi Township Art Rhythm, Harmonious Shuanghe are organized at the Ethnic Culture Plaza.

Preservation and Innovation

Shuanghe Township has established a long-term mechanism for the protection and transmission of ethnic culture, led by the government and supported by various departments and community participation. The township has developed a “dynamic” and “static” approach to protecting the Yanglao drum dance, ensuring its continued relevance. Efforts have been made to collect materials such as photos, videos, and CDs, and to preserve intangible cultural heritage.

In 2019, Shuanghe Township collaborated with the Jinning District Culture and Tourism Bureau and the Jinning Cultural Center to produce a teaching video and publish the book Jinning Yanglao Drum. These efforts aim to enhance the artistic value of the dance and lay a strong foundation for future cultural transmission.

Cultural Festivals and Recognition

Shuanghe Township actively promotes ethnic culture through various festivals, including the Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival, with regular Yanglao drum dance performances. The township also celebrates its unique Fire Torch Festival and Street Dancing Festival. These events attract attention from both the public and the media.

In 2006, the Yanglao drum dance was included in the first batch of Yunnan Province’s intangible cultural heritage list. The dance gained national recognition through its participation in Central Television’s East, West, South, and North New Year Celebration in 2018. In 2019, three teams participated in the Jinning District competition for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, winning one gold and two silver awards.

Through these performances and exchanges, the idea of “building a brand and promoting cultural outreach” has become ingrained in the community. The Yanglao drum dance has become one of Shuanghe’s most distinctive cultural symbols, continuing to shine locally and internationally.

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