Yu Nankan – Representative Inheritor of Bulang Folk Song Project in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna
Yu Nankan (玉喃坎) is the representative inheritor of Blang ethnic ballads (布朗族弹唱) in Daluo Town (打洛镇), Menghai County (勐海县), Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州).
Artistic Characteristics
| Category | Features | Cultural Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Style | – Unique throat singing technique – Accompanied by traditional plucked instruments |
Preserves ancient Blang vocal traditions |
| Repertoire | – 40+ traditional folk songs – Modern compositions |
Carries Blang historical narratives and contemporary expressions |
| Performance Context | – Harvest festivals – Rite of passage ceremonies – Community gatherings |
Maintains important social and spiritual connections in Blang communities |
Preservation Efforts
Sustaining an Oral Tradition
Apprenticeship Program
- Training 12 formal disciples
- Community singing workshops
Educational Activities
- “Blang Ballads in Schools” program
- Cultural exchange performances
Documentation Projects
- Field recordings of endangered songs
- Lyric transcription and translation
Contemporary Development
Innovating While Preserving
Recent creative developments include:
- Cross-cultural collaborations with other ethnic artists
- Thematic adaptations reflecting modern Blang life
- Digital archiving and online sharing
As a key bearer of this intangible cultural heritage, Yu Nankan plays a vital role in keeping the Blang musical tradition alive while adapting it for new generations.
For Chinese version please go to:
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-3045.html
