1. Peacock Dance
Peacock dance is called "Jialuoyong", "Fanluoyong" or "Jiananluo" in Dai language. This is the most popular dance among the Dai people and is popular in Dehong Dai, Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture and Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan.
The peacock is a symbol of auspiciousness, happiness, beauty and kindness in the hearts of the Dai people. There are many moving legends circulating among the Dai people about the origin of peacock dance. Legend has it that a long time ago, the leader of the Dai people called Ma Su to lead four thousand people to find happiness. After arriving at "Lai Shaomeng", they heard the sound of fruits falling into the water and the sound of fish eating water, and saw peacocks following this beautiful sound. Dance a beautiful dance, and when they return, they imitate the sounds and the movements of the peacock. Dance the peacock dance with the accompaniment of drums and cymbals.
Peacock dance is usually performed by one, two or three people. Whenever the dancers dance happily, everyone cheers "I-I" and "Water-Water", and the atmosphere is very lively. Peacock dance has a relatively fixed performance routine, which mostly imitates the peacock flying out of the nest, inspecting sensitively, walking peacefully, looking for water, drinking water, playing in the water, bathing, shaking its wings, drying its wings, spreading its wings to compare with the beauty of all things, and flying freely and happily. ……wait.
The movements of peacock dance are extremely rich. The most common hand postures include palm posture, peacock posture (the thumb is slightly turned inward, the index finger is bent back, and the other three fingers are raised like a fan), and the eye posture (the index finger is Slightly close to the thumb, the other three fingers are raised like a fan), etc. The steps include tiptoeing, ups and downs (the power leg is driven by the heel to kick up the buttocks and then the whole foot lands on the ground, and the main leg flexes and extends accordingly), etc. The dance style can be summarized into the following three categories: The first is the male peacock dance. Folks often dance this dance. The knees are undulating and firm. The dance has obvious "three turns" characteristics. The second is the peacock dance. Among the people, it is mostly performed by men. The knees rise and fall softly and slowly, the dance posture is graceful and delicate, and the chest and shoulders are often rotated, reflecting its subtle and charming form, and the drum beats are light and slow. The third is the little peacock dance. It often uses quick small tremors and short steps that maintain a half-squat state. The calves are flexible and light. It often uses continuous small shrugs. The drum beats are fast and light.
2. Inspiration
The drums of the Dai people can be roughly divided into two types: one is a single-sided drum, which is called "Guang La Leng" in Dai language. The other is a double-sided drum, which is called "Guang Shuangla" in Dai language. Because the single-sided drum is shaped like an elephant's leg, it is named "Elephant Foot Drum".
Elephant foot drumming is called "Jiaguang" or "Fangguang" in Dai language (drums are called "Guang" in Dai language, and dancing is called "Jiaguang"). "Jiaguang" is the most popular men's dance in the Dai area. Whenever after planting rice seedlings and during the harvest season, elephant feet are danced to celebrate. During the performance, the dancer holds the left shoulder like a foot drum, with the drum face facing forward and the drum tail pointing downward. The right hand is the main drummer, and the left hand cooperates. Generally, the drum surface is struck with fists, palms, and fingers, and sometimes with elbows, knees, heels, toes, etc. Elephant feet encourage strong and sturdy feet. The ups and downs of the knees are closely coordinated with the drumming movements. When drumming with hands, the knees bend. When raising your hands, keep your knees straight. The dance steps are very rich, including "front-step half squat", "back-step half squat", "step forward full squat", "eight-step half squat", and one leg is the main force, and the other leg is used as a leisurely leg. Leg-raising, kicking and other posture movements, as well as leg-sucking jumps, kicking jumps, spring-leg jumps, cross-leg jumps, etc.
"Jia Bianguang" means everyone dancing in circles around the drum. It is the most popular and popular group dance among the Dai people. It is not limited to location and time. Dozens or hundreds of people can form a circle. Dance in a clockwise direction, and dance all night long during festivals. The dance is simple and passionate, with outstanding characteristics. Women's knees vibrate more evenly, and they dance more smoothly. Generally, steps such as "wandering step", "undulating step", "point step" and "lunge step" are the main ones. The movements of the hands are relatively simple. Generally, they use natural hand movements to alternately wrap the wrist downwards in front of the chest or reach up from the armpits. Sisters-in-law danced with the elderly in the circle. The elderly moved slowly and their knees rose and fell significantly. They often leaned forward and backward to express their excitement. Their movements were arbitrary and free, while the young people outside the circle , then the movements are required to be uniform and neat. The drum beats that accompany the light are very rich.
Double-sided encouragement is called "Guangbang", "Guangliang", "Guangshuangla", "Guanghong", "Guangmengyang", etc. in Dai language. It is popular in Yingzhou, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture. Jiang County, Ruili County, some areas of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, and Mengdiao areas of Gengma County and Cangyuan County are the oldest incitement of the Dai people. This kind of drum has one big end and one small one, and is covered with skin on both sides. The small double-sided drum is about a foot and a half long and can be hung horizontally on the body. When dancing, the drum is beaten with the palm of the right hand and the bamboo piece with the left hand. The movements are undulating. Dance postures such as squatting are commonly used, and the three-bend shape is more prominent. A large double-sided drum with a basket-like body and a diameter of sixty-seven centimeters. It requires two people to carry it on a bamboo pole. The dancer swings the mallet with both hands, turns around with cloud hands, sucks the legs, kneels and squats, etc. to play the drum. Some drums are played on the ground, and the sound is sonorous and powerful. People form a circle, hold flowers or handkerchiefs, sing and dance, which is similar to the performance form of Cantonese dance with light.
3. Fish Dance
The fish dance is called "Jaba" in Dai language. It is mainly spread in Ruili County of Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, and gradually spread to other areas after liberation. It is said that when the Dai people discovered fish and learned to fish, they started dancing to imitate fish. There are only one or two performers of the fish dance, and the dancers dance with fish-shaped props on their bodies. Fish dance is softer, more delicate, smart and lively than other Dai folk dances. It is mainly manifested in the undulating and gentle knee-bending and half-foot shuffling movements. The small jumps are agile and lively. It shows that when fish are roaming in calm water, they often use the whole-foot or half-foot bending knee shuffling to walk. There is no ups and downs, and the hands and upper body only swing left and right. . When showing fish playing in the water or fighting against rapids, leaping movements such as small jumps, small jumps, and small turns are often used to create vivid and lifelike images.
The fish dance mostly adopts fish-shaped gestures (the palm of one hand is placed on the back of the other hand, and the thumb is extended), or the hands are drawn outward in a circle and the arms are swung back as typical movements.
The drum beats of the Fish Dance are relatively slow and light, and the rich drum language is no less than that of the Peacock Dance.
4. Dapeng Bird Dance
Dapeng Bird Dance is called "Jialun" in Dai language. It is an ancient folk dance danced by the Dai people in grand festivals. It is mainly popular in Ruili County, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture. The Dapeng bird dance is vigorous and rough, with large and powerful movements. The dance mainly expresses the movements and temperament of the roc bird fighting with the rain god. The movements change quickly and powerfully, and the modeling time is long. The "three turns" dance posture is sharp and angular. For example, the performance is usually a big jump followed by a big dance shape, showing the momentum of the roc bird flying down from the sky. Use claw-type hands (fingers spread out in a fan shape) and palm-type hands, which enhance the strength of the movements.
There are only one or two performers of the Dapeng Bird Dance. In the past, roc-shaped props and masks were used in dances, but now they are mostly discarded, allowing the dance movements to be fully developed.
The drum beats are extremely rich and the sound is deep and powerful.
5. Egret Dance
Egret dance is called "Jiayang" and "Jialuoyang" in Dai language. It is a collective dance performed by young people during festive seasons. It is mainly popular in Ruili and Luxi counties of Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture. In the past, dancers had to wear snow-white clothes and dance with two bright red ribbons on their shoulders, but this is no longer the case.
The egret dance is generally based on antiphonal dance, with opposite movements. The formation is usually two horizontal rows on the left and right. After meeting, it becomes two vertical rows, four rows, two circles, etc. Often one person directs the transformation of various actions and graphics.
The movements of the egret dance are simple and elegant. The rhythm processing of the dance steps is different from other Dai folk dances. During the weak beat, the knees bend quickly and the power leg is lifted up quickly. During the heavy beat, the knees straighten with flexibility, and the power leg lands lightly on the sole of the foot at the same time, which vividly imitates the walking of a heron. action. There are special movements such as clapping hands in front of the chest and arching the chest. The drumming is light and simple.
6. Garland Dance
Garland dance, called "Jiadong" in Dai language, is a collective dance of young people. It is mainly popular in some areas of Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture and Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture. Nowadays it is only danced on grand festivals and has become an organized dance performance.
From very early times, whenever the Water Splashing Festival and other religious festivals came, young men and women would go in groups to the mountains, forests and riversides to collect the brightest and most beautiful flowers, and then sing and dance with elephant foot drums to spread the flowers. Send them to the Burmese temple to build a flower pavilion... This ancient custom is still spread in Dai villages.
The garland is made of bright flowers tied on a bamboo grate about two meters long. When dancing, hold both ends of the garland with both hands, and focus on the changes of the garland while moving the steps. And form patterns with national characteristics. When the garland dance reaches bliss, it is directed by one person, and the dancers move from the slow to the allegro together, with movements such as tiptoeing and "small jumps at wrong steps".
7. Sword dance and stick, fist and stick dance
In Dai language, the dance of sword and stick, fist and stick is called "Fan Zheng", "Jia Zheng", "Ling Zheng". It's a male dance. It is spread in the vast Dai area and is similar to the martial arts of the Han people.
The sword dance is called "Jia La" or "Fan La" in Dai language. The movements are powerful and vigorous, often using steps such as "big eight-character stamping", "leg flicking", "kicking and jumping" and "squat sliding". These movements are rarely seen in Dai folk dances. There are various types of sword dance including single sword, double sword, short sword and long sword (similar to a sword), as well as different genres such as local, mainland and Myanmar. Each genre has its own strict performance procedures and movements. It can be performed by one to more than a dozen people, and the dance can be performed without accompaniment or with the accompaniment of an elephant foot drum.
Stick, club, boxing and sword dance are basically similar.
8. Jiado
Jiado, also known as "Fanduo", is a kind of prop dance. This dance used to be performed during grand religious festivals, but now it is only popular in Mengding and Menglian counties of Gengma County.
"Duo" is a deified animal. It is said to have a lion's head, a dog's mouth, antlers, a long neck, and fine hair. This dance is called "Red Deer Dance" in Chinese.
Jiado still dances with props. The props are one foot long and eight feet long. They are made of bamboo grates to form a 45-centimeter circle. The outside is wrapped with cloth and cut white paper is glued on it. The top is made of feathers. Generally, two people work together to play the role of a red deer. The dancer in front decorates the head and front body of the deer, and uses a stick to support the neck to perform scratching movements. The dancer in the back controls the tail and performs agile small jumps and flops to both sides. , Tengzhuan and other actions. The dance steps and drum beats are similar to peacock dance.
9. Other types of Dai folk dances
1. Yi La He dance, also known as "Fan Yi He". Popular in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture. During the "Water Splashing Festival" and "Open Door Festival" of the Dai New Year or on festive days, the Dai people will dance this dance happily. It is named after each libretto is followed by the lining words "Yilahe". The characteristics of Yi Lahe dance are similar to that of Cana dance with light.
2. Butterfly dance is called "Jia Ciao" in Dai language. Popular in Mengding County, Gengma County and Ruili County, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture. It is said that the butterfly dance was created to create a unique look during dance competitions. During the performance, the dancers tie butterfly-shaped props around their bodies to imitate the flying form of butterflies. Their movements and drumbeats are similar to the peacock dance.
3. Hat dance is popular in Jinping County. It's hot and rainy there, and bamboo hats are indispensable in daily life and work. Hence the bamboo hat dance. The movements of Li Hao include "carrying the hat", "rolling the hat in front of the body", "rolling the hat on the shoulders", "swinging the hat", etc. During the dance, the knees rise and fall softly, with a slight three-curve shape, but not obvious.
4. Latiao Dance is called "Jiadian" in Dai language. It is a performative ritual dance, mainly popular in Xishuangbanna. The dance is soft and subtle, with steps such as sitting, standing, kneeling, ups and downs, raising the front and sides, and bending the legs backwards. The dancers hold the lit wax sticks with both hands and perform movements such as hand-drawing and outward circular motions.
5. Chicken dance is called "Jagai" in Dai language. It is a children's dance popular in Luxi County, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture. The dance mainly imitates the actions of chickens such as foraging for food and fighting each other. The longer the time and the faster the speed, the better. There is no musical accompaniment, and children usually count and dance.
6. The Twelve Horse Dance, called "Ma Xishuang" in Dai language, is a song and dance performed by twelve people. It is popular in Yingjiang County, Luxi County and other places in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture.
The performer wears a horse-shaped prop around his waist, pulls the reins with one hand, and holds a fan with the other. He mainly runs on the soles of his feet and changes into various formations. It usually sings about twelve months of labor, and sometimes also performs a certain storyline.
7. Gananyan means "little princess or lady's dance." In the past, it was only danced during religious festivals or when chieftains got married or succeeded to the throne. It was mainly popular in the Mengdong area of ??Cangyuan County. Mainly singing, the content includes singing about marriage, love and twelve months of productive labor. During the dance, the man punches in front, while the woman holds a fan or handkerchief. The movements are similar to the light dance.
In addition, there are also "rowing dance", "flower picking dance", "fish fishing dance", "walking dance" and so on that express working life in Jinping County. The fan dance spread in Jinping County is said to be a A ritual dance performed when fighting ghosts.
The "Elephant Dance" spread in Mengding area of ??Gengma County is called "Jia Zhang" in Dai language. Two people set up elephant-shaped props to imitate the elephant's movements such as walking and saluting, and one person held a red handkerchief to lead the elephant to dance.
The "women's dance" popular in Xishuangbanna is light and gentle.
The "Galuo Xiang" popular in Ruili County is a dance that imitates the dance of a bird, which is the same as the peacock dance.