Heritage
The tone of Danzhou
(chinaculture.org)
Updated: 2006-11-19 17:31
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Year: 2006
Sort: Folk Music
Area: Hainan Province
Serial No.: Ⅱ-14
Declarer: Danzhou City, Hainan Province
When the eminent poet Su Tung-po was exiled to Danzhou, Hainan province during the Northern Song Dynasty?(960-1127 AD), he remarked that the local folk song, the Tone of Danzhou, was a popular song.
Men and women line up facing each other to sing the tone of Danzhou, with their arms and bodies swinging?along in rhythm. One of the two lines sings first, and the other line shall sing back as if talking to each other. The tone can also be sung in a game -- the group who can't think of a witty comeback loses. It is a favored tradition during festivals, especially the Lantern Festival?in August of the lunar calendar.
To preserve traditional folk music, the local government of Danzhou has re-named the Lantern Festival the "Tone Festival". When one rings the cultural department of the local government, instead of hearing a plain beeping sound, one can hear the beautiful Tone of Danzhou. In 2006, the Tone of Danzhou is applying for the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
