[Literature] Earth Digging and Drum Songs of Tujia Minority

Area: Guzhang County, Xiangxi Tujia & Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province
Name: Earth Digging and Drum Songs of Tujia Minority
Year of Application: 2006
Category: Literature
No.: Ⅰ-6
Applicant: Guzhang County and Longshan County, Xiangxi Tujia & Miao Autonomous Prefecture
Level: Provincial

Drum is a customary phenomenon. Every ethnic group has a variety of drums and amazing drum cultures. Due to the unique cultural and geographical environment which has shaped the customs of Tujia, the characteristics of drum culture can be seen in its appearance and content. The drum culture of Tujia is embodied in all aspects of life; beliefs, rituals, productions, customs of life, festivals, recreations and so on.
 

The Earth Digging and Drum Songs is the precious national folk culture heritage of Tujia Minority,  popular in Guzhang, Xiangxi and other villages in west of Hunan. The songs along with the music created by drums, are performed at sacrifice rituals, and aim to entertain the gods as well as people.

Usually, two epic singers are involved in the ceremonies, who sing while beating the drum and performing some additional rituals including praying, inviting gods, chanting and bidding farewell to gods. The songs, with fixed melody and lyrics can be presented in various forms such as impromptu, antiphonal singing and singing in the style of conversation. The contents of the songs are mainly related to the local folk legends, historical stories, and comical love stories, through which the singer can fully display his intelligence, wisdom and singing skill. Audience can appreciate the noble art as well as gain more insight into history, farming and production. Sometimes, these songs are meant to amuse and voice opinions on various incidents. The essence of the ritual lies in the singer’s input in the forms of songs, drums and exchange of emotions and feelings through music, thus enthusing farmers with entertainment and eliminating their fatigue from hard work.  
     
It is a perfect combination of folklore and music, illustrating that the literature is rooted in labor originated from labor and serves labor in return. The Earth Digging and Drum Songs are of great academic significance for research of Tujia Minority in terms of ancient arts, level of production, ethnic beliefs and so on.