Dong Opera

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Dong Opera

Applicant: Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Item No.: 227

Project No.: Ⅳ - 83

Time of publication: 2011 (the third batch)

Category: Traditional Drama

Region: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Type: Extension Project

Applicant: Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Protection unit: Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County intangible cultural heritage protection and Development Center

Introduction to Dong Opera:

Applicant: Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Dong opera, called "xigeng" in Dong language, is a kind of Dong opera. Dong opera, which is popular in Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County, Liuzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the surrounding villages, was introduced from Shuikou District, Liping County, Guizhou Province in 1875. After more than 100 years of development and reform, it has more artistic color and stronger appeal. In Traditional Dong opera, actors wear Dong costumes and Dong jewelry, sing in Dong language, and sing in Chinese. The popular plays include Chen Shimei, life and death card, Mei Liangyu and so on.

Dong opera is a kind of folk art which relies on the succession of master and apprentice, oral and psychological education, and its self-protection is very fragile. At present, Dong opera is facing the endangered situation of aging opera masters, no successors, and decreasing audience groups. It is urgent for governments at all levels to take positive measures to inherit and protect it.