Chinese Tibetan Folk Songs and Dances
Tibetan people inhabit Tibet, a beautiful and mystical land which is reputed to be the Roof of the World.They are so cheerful and forthright that they like to live in a free life and sing and dance as they wish.
Tibetans eulogize all aspects of life and work in their songs. They glorify the mountains and rivers, praise labor and admire the love between men and women.In general,these songs are divided into such 10 of types: songs for children,toasting,working, pastoral, folk and love according to their different content.
Of them, toasting songs are the favorite among Tibetans. This type of song features a fresh and smooth melody and usually sung to propose a toast in a natural and easy emotion. On the occasions of traditional festivals, parties or wedding ceremonies, people sit around a Tibetan-type square table in the order of seniority in the family. One of them, usually a woman, acts as the cupbearer. She has to fill every cup while singing and dancing. After they are served, each drinker is supposed to receive a cup, point to heaven with the ring finger, take three sips and finish the drink in a special posture as required in the song.
Duixie or duidi song and dance is among traditional folk songs and dances of Tibetans. Duidi refers to the area of upper reaches of the Brahmaputra River and Ali Prefecture. Tibetans call the area dui and name the dance in circles in the area as duixie. Duixie songs are presented in a distinct, vivid and lively tone; while duixie dances are performed in warm and flexible movements. In form, duixie is made up of jiangxie and juexie. Jiangxie is presented by songs in a slow tempo and melodious tones, while juexie is mainly expressed by dances in a fast tempo and with vigorous movements.
Duixie is usually accompanied by terz guitars and performed like a tap dance. A tap dancer makes sounds with complicated gaits with the foot such as kicking, tapping,stamping and jumping in a changing and fair-sounding melody.Duixie is performed either in festivals or duaring leisure time. A performer could dance it in various forms,no matter if he dresses up or not Gradually, folk art is becoming popular among folk artists and even all Tibetans.
In addition, nangma is another traditional type of song and dance of Tibetans. Accompanied by the bamboo flute,yangqin, gengka,urheen,chiqin and tinkle bells, it can be performed in a careful structure. Performers usually set the tone according to the main musical instrument first, followed by singing in a lyrical and graceful melody and dancing at a fast tempo.In recent years.
