Yangko (Northern Shaanxi Yangko)

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Yangko (Northern Shaanxi Yangko)

Applicant: Suide County, Shaanxi Province

Project No.: 105

Project No.: Ⅲ - 2

Time of publication: 2006 (the first batch)

Category: traditional dance

Region: Shaanxi Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Suide County, Shaanxi Province

Protection unit: Suide Cultural Center

Introduction to Yangko (Northern Shaanxi Yangko)

Applicant: Suide County, Shaanxi Province

Yangko is a kind of popular and representative folk dance in China (mainly in the North). There are different appellations and styles in different regions. In the folk, the appellation of Yangko can be divided into two kinds: those who walk on stilts are called "stilt Yangko", while those who don't walk on stilts are called "ground Yangko". In modern times, "Yangko" mostly refers to "diyangko". Yangko has a long history. Among the folk dance teams introduced by Zhou Mi in old stories of Wulin in the Southern Song Dynasty, there is a record of "cuntian music". In the Qing Dynasty, Wu Xilin's new year's miscellaneous chants, there is a clear record of the relationship between the existing Yangko and "cuntian music" in the Song Dynasty. At present, yangko dance teams are the main form of yangko dance in various places. The number of dance teams is less than ten, and more than 100. There are not only group dance, but also duet dance, three person dance and other forms of performance. According to the needs of the characters, they hold the corresponding handkerchief, umbrella, stick, drum, money whip and other props, and dance heartily with the accompaniment of percussion instruments such as gongs and drums, suona and so on. The dance methods, movements and styles of Yangko vary from place to place. Some of them are powerful and powerful, while others are soft and beautiful.

Yangko is one of the most representative folk dances in northern China. It is not only performing, but also entertaining. It is deeply loved by the common people. There have been some representative folk Yangko artists all over the country, and many folk artists have played an important role in the construction of new China's dance industry. With the rapid development of rural economy and the change of cultural environment, there are few folk artists who can master the traditional Yangko skills and pure dance style, so the protection and inheritance work needs to be carried out urgently.

Northern Shaanxi Yangko is a popular and representative traditional dance in Northern Shaanxi plateau, also known as "make a red fire", "make a Yangko", "make a community fire", "make a Yangko" and so on. It is mainly distributed in Yulin, Yan'an, Suide, Mizhi and other places in Shaanxi Province, with a long history, rich content and various forms. Among them, Suide Yangko is the most representative.

Suide can be said to be the center of Yangko in Northern Shaanxi, where the rural areas still retain the traditional Yangko performance program, customs and style features, including the "Shenhui Yangko" and "twenty eight old Yangko" by ancient villagers, and the new Yangko which emerged after 1942. Yangko performers often have dozens of people, some as many as nearly 100 people, led by the umbrella head, on the sonorous gongs and drums, and the sonorous suona, to twist, swing, walk, jump, turn the action, enjoy dancing. Immersed in the happy atmosphere, the Yangko performance of Northern Shaanxi plateau is very popular. Yangko absorbs the artistic elements of local popular forms such as water boats, running donkeys, stilts, lions, kicks and so on, forming a mighty Yangko team. In traditional Yangko and Shenhui Yangko, there are many sacrificial rites, such as "starting", "paying homage to the temple" and "worshiping the God". In the performance, there are many activities, such as paying homage to the door (also known as walking along the door), setting up colorful doors, stepping on the big stage and turning nine tunes. A Yangko team ranges from tens of people to hundreds of people. The performances include "twisting in place", "walking cross step", "three steps and one jump", "leaning body step" and "shaking shoulder step". The Yangko team in Northern Shaanxi can be divided into "big field" and "small field". The formation of big field is varied, including "dragon swinging tail", "cabbage rolling", "cross plum blossom", "two dragons spitting water" and "Twelve lotus lanterns" The small performances include "water boat", "running donkey", "stilt" and "overlord whip". It can also be divided into "Wen Chang Zi", "Wu Chang Zi", "kick Chang Zi" and "Chou Chang Zi" according to the style and content of the movements. Among them, "kick Chang Zi" is a duet dance that shows the love life of men and women. It has more difficult dance movements, such as "soft waist", "two feet", "three feet do not fall to the ground", "dragon claws pierce the clouds", "Golden Rooster independence", "golden hook hanging upside down" skill. The Northern Shaanxi Yangko became the leading role in the Yan'an new Yangko movement in 1942. It was endowed with a new spirit and content of the times, and spread throughout the country with the development of the revolutionary situation.

Yangko shows the simple, honest and optimistic character of the people in Northern Shaanxi, which has outstanding historical and cultural value.