Yongkang Guci

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Yongkang Guci

Applicant: Yongkang City, Zhejiang Province

Project No.: 1127

Project No.: Ⅴ - 103

Time of publication: 2011 (the third batch)

Category: quyi

Region: Zhejiang Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Yongkang City, Zhejiang Province

Protection unit: Yongkang folk art performance Association

Introduction to Yongkang drum lyrics

Applicant: Yongkang City, Zhejiang Province

Yongkang Guci is a popular form of Quyi in Yongkang, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, and in Wuyi, Jinyun, Pan'an, etc. Because most of the artists in the old days were blind, they were also known as "Ci" or "blind Ci"; because the performance form was mainly singing, and there was also speaking, they were also commonly known as "Ci" or "singing official business".

Yongkang drum lyrics are performed in Yongkang dialect, usually accompanied by one person beating the drum plate. Most of the themes of traditional programs are eliminating the tyrant and pacifying the good, upholding justice, love between men and women and charity. There are rich tunes in singing, which can be divided into four levels according to different functions: sad tune, angry tune, happy tune, suitable narrative tune, dialogue tune and lyric tune. The rap performance emphasizes cadence and relaxation; the accompaniment of drums emphasizes depth, ups and downs, speed and slowness; the program focuses on teaching and entertainment, which is loved by the local people.

In recent decades, the number of artists has decreased sharply, and the overall development has shrunk. In the 1950s, there were still more than 100 artists, and in the 1980s, there were only more than 60. Since the beginning of the 21st century, there have been less than 20 artists. They are on the verge of extinction and need urgent protection and support.