Dragon Dance (Jinzhou dragon dance)

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Dragon Dance (Jinzhou dragon dance)

Applicant: Jinzhou District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province

Item No.: 107

Project No.: Ⅲ - 4

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: traditional dance

Region: Liaoning Province

Type: Extension Project

Applicant: Jinzhou District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province

Protection unit: Dalian Jinpu New District Cultural Tourism Service Center

Introduction to Dragon Dance (Jinzhou dragon dance)

Applicant: Jinzhou District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province

Dragon dance, also known as "Dragon Dance", is the most widely distributed and far-reaching folk dance in China. This kind of dance has various forms of expression, and the styles of dragon dance in different nationalities and regions are quite different.

According to the shape of the dragon, there are many forms of dragon dance, such as cloth dragon, yarn dragon, paper dragon, grass dragon, Qian dragon, bamboo dragon, brown dragon, bench dragon, shutter dragon, lotus dragon, fire dragon, chicken feather dragon, meat dragon and so on. Different forms of dragon have different dance styles and techniques. The traditional performance procedure of Chinese dragon dance is generally composed of "invite the dragon", "leave the dragon", "dance the dragon" and "send the dragon". Dragon dance is an important part of the spirit and cultural heritage of the Chinese nation.

Jinzhou dragon dance, also known as "dragon dance outside Ximen", is popular in Jinzhou area of Dalian City, Liaoning Province. It has been handed down for nine generations and has a history of more than 120 years. In 1881, Liu Shengxiu, commander-in-chief of Yijun, led the 12th battalion of Mabu to garrison Jinzhou. During the Lantern Festival, he performed dragon dance in the barracks, but it was not allowed to spread. Guangxu 11 years (1885) to 13 years (1887) Ming word army defense, the annual Lantern Festival is still playing Dragon. At this time, the people can go into the camp and watch with the officers and soldiers. Chen Deyuan, a shed maker, and Li Tianying, a paper maker in the garden village outside the west gate of Jinzhou, took advantage of this opportunity to imitate a dragon and gradually transform it, thus forming a magical and charming Jinzhou dragon dance.

Jinzhou dragon dance is mostly used in leisure time and festivals, and its movements are changeable. It has become a folk dance form with the characteristics of southern Liaoning. In the performance, a dragon dance team consists of two dragons and a dragon ball, a total of 19 people. There are nearly 40 kinds of dance styles. Accompaniment music mainly uses the Qupai of northeast Yangko, and has no strict requirements on musical instruments and Qupai. The image of the dragon is fierce and handsome, with aesthetic value; the coordination of the dragon's actions shows the temperament of the Chinese nation, and has a strong local flavor.

Jinzhou dragon dance, as a popular folk art form, is no longer a pastime for farmers in their leisure time. It is not only a festival program, but also a folk dance with the characteristics of southern Liaoning, which has high historical and cultural value. In recent years, under the impact of market economy and the influence of modern lifestyle, Jinzhou dragon dance is difficult to inherit. At present, only two dragon lantern teams insist on activities. If they do not rescue and protect in time, this precious form of folk dance is facing extinction crisis.