Yu Latao – Representative Inheritor of  Dai Zhangha Project in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna

Yu Latao (玉拉涛) serves as the representative inheritor of Dai Zhangha (傣族章哈), a traditional sung narrative art form, in Menghun Town (勐混镇), Menghai County (勐海县), Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州).

Artistic Profile

Category Characteristics Cultural Significance
Vocal Techniques – Distinctive nasal resonance
– Ornamental melodic variations		 Preserves ancient Dai vocalization methods
Repertoire – 50+ traditional ballads
– Modern improvised verses		 Carries historical narratives and contemporary social commentary
Performance Context – Buddhist ceremonies
– Harvest festivals
– Wedding celebrations		 Maintains ritual connections between spiritual, agricultural and social life

Transmission Activities

Safeguarding the Oral Tradition

Apprenticeship Program

  • Mentoring 8 formal disciples
  • Community singing workshops

Educational Outreach

  • “Zhangha in Schools” initiative
  • University masterclasses

Cultural Documentation

  • Audio archive creation
  • Lyric transcription project

Contemporary Relevance

Bridging Tradition and Modernity

Recent innovations include:

  • Fusion performances with modern instruments
  • Thematic adaptations addressing current issues
  • Digital platform content creation

Recognized as a living treasure of Dai intangible cultural heritage, Yu Latao’s work ensures the continuity of this UNESCO-listed oral tradition for future generations.

Note: The presentation maintains consistent formatting with previous inheritor profiles while highlighting Yu Latao’s specific contributions. The table effectively organizes her artistic characteristics with corresponding cultural meanings, and the content follows professional translation standards for cultural terminology.

For Chinese version please go to:
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-3100.html