Tujia flower lantern opera
2023-08-11
Tujia Flower Lantern has a long history of nearly 300 years. It is a folk art that combines singing and dancing, widely spread in urban and rural areas of Zhangjiajie City, with a strong local flavor and ethnic characteristics.
It is one of the three treasures of Yongding District, along with Zhangjiajie Yang Opera and Tujia Nuo Opera. Two actors--a male and a female each holding a folding fan perform a story through singing and dancing.
Xiang Shijun, 58 years old this year, started learning Tujia Flower Lantern opera at the age of 12.
In 2015, she became a representative inheritor of Tujia Flower Lantern opera, a municipal-level intangible cultural heritage project.
Tujia Flower Lantern opera has unique singing styles and graceful dance movements. The clown is humorous and funny, while the female role is lively and beautifully dressed. The tunes are melodious and gentle.
“There are more than fifty types of singing tunes and over one hundred pieces of music for Tujia Flower Lantern opera. The lyrics and melodies are easy to remember, and basically every person from Yongding can sing a few liness,” said Xiang Shijun.
“To learn the opera well, one must master the basic skills.”
In the performance, the “Fan-playing Techniques,” “Bodily movements,” and “Hand movements” are considered the three ultimate skills.
Tujia Flower Lantern opera has a complete performance routine consisting of five steps: lighting the lantern, bringing out the lantern, performing with the lantern, celebrating the Lantern Festival, and putting away the lantern. It is an essential part of the annual Lantern Festival celebration in Yongding District.
Tujia Flower Lantern opera has been passed down from generation to generation and gradually become a brilliant folk treasure.
In 2011, it was included on the second protection list of intangible cultural heritage items in Zhangjiajie City.
The exhibition and performance of the first Zhangjiajie Tujia Folk Culture Festival will be held from August 14 to 16 in Tianmenshan Town, Jiaozidayi Town, and Yongding Subdistrict respectively.
Twenty-four townships (subdistricts) will send teams to participate in the regional competition. Based on the results of the regional competition, twelve programs will be selected to attend the finals of the whole area on August 18 at the Zhangjiajie Cultural Tourism Creative Industry Park.
