Centipede dance

The name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Centipede dance

Applicant: Chenghai District, Shantou City, Guangdong Province

Project No.: 651

Project No.: Ⅲ - 54

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: traditional dance

Region: Guangdong Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Chenghai District, Shantou City, Guangdong Province

Protection unit: cultural center of Chenghai District, Shantou City

Introduction to centipede dance

Applicant: Chenghai District, Shantou City, Guangdong Province

Centipede dance is a kind of folk dance popular in Chenghai District, Shantou City, Guangdong Province. It originated from Tongzhi to Guangxu period in Qing Dynasty. It was initiated by Chen Chengjin, a native of Ximen, and his good friend Shi Wenyong. This kind of dance can vividly imitate the dynamics and habits of centipede. Once it came out, it was loved by the local people, quickly became popular, and continued to spread.

Centipede dance is a large-scale square animal dance. Its props are composed of head, body and tail, with a total length of 22 meters. The Centipede's body is oblate, connected by 28 pieces of hard and soft cloth frames, 80 cm wide and 60 cm high. During the performance, one person holds the colored bead in front of the lead, and 15 people follow with the centipede. The dancers hide under the belly of the centipede, bend down and bend their legs, and use "double down hall", "T-shaped horse", "lunge", "Guanyin sitting lotus" and other movements to control the whole centipede to zigzag through and dance vigorously, changing into "2", "3", "6", "7", "8", "water wave pattern", "Pan plum blossom point" and so on Design. During the night performance, the giant centipede is flying in the air, its eyes are shining green, its body is bright, and its scissors shaped red tail is raised high and swinging freely. Against the backdrop of accompaniment of drum music and cheering fireworks, it is more magnificent and presents a kind of majestic momentum.

Centipede dance is an important part of Chaoshan traditional culture. It integrates music, dance and martial arts. It has a strong ornamental value. At the same time, it can provide important reference materials for the study of folklore and Chaoshan local culture. At present, there is no one to inherit this excellent folk art, which is in urgent need of protection.