Zhuang Song and Dance
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Summary
Editor's review
In terms of content value, the book's highlight is its locality. Relying on local resources, the writing team has collected many folk song and dance materials on the verge of being lost, giving the book considerable value as folklore-historical source material. Its records of representative forms such as the Shigong dance, the carrying-pole dance, and the embroidered-ball dance are especially detailed: it not only describes movements but also explains the sacrificial, festival, courtship, and other social contexts behind them. This way of placing art within a cultural ecosystem goes beyond mere movement diagrams and helps readers understand the deeper significance of song and dance as a carrier of Zhuang culture.
However, the book's academic depth is relatively limited, and it leans more toward a popular introduction, suitable as an introductory cultural reader. Its organization is clear and its language plain. Although it lacks discussion of cutting-edge theory, its solid materials and abundant illustrations are its strength. For readers who want a systematic overview of Zhuang song and dance and to explore the roots of ethnic minority art, this is a reliable basic guide. It reminds us that the most vivid cultural memory is often preserved among the people, and that recording itself is a form of protection.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Non-specialist readers interested in Zhuang culture and the arts of southern ethnic minorities
- Beginning scholars engaged in folklore studies and research on ethnic music and dance
- People who plan to do cultural fieldwork or travel in Guangxi and want to prepare beforehand
- Primary and secondary school teachers looking for supplementary teaching materials on ethnic culture
Not a good fit for
- Professional researchers seeking advanced art theory or cutting-edge academic perspectives
- Practical learners hoping for a detailed step-by-step tutorial on dance movements
Reading tips
- It is recommended to search video platforms for relevant footage using the song and dance names mentioned in the book for side-by-side viewing, to enhance the intuitive experience
- While reading, focus on the sections on the connection between song and dance and Zhuang festivals (such as the March 3 Festival) and living customs, to understand their cultural functions
- If interested in a particular topic, extend your reading to more specialized works such as An Introduction to Zhuang Culture and Music and Dance of Guangxi's Ethnic Minorities
About the publisher
Lijiang Publishing House focuses on Chinese and foreign literature, humanities and social sciences, cultural life, and parent-child education, and is particularly known for translating and introducing foreign literature; its "Nobel Prize in Literature Laureates Series" has had a lasting influence on readers. Judging from the 193 books in the collection, the press publishes modern prose classics such as Lu Xun's Dawn Blossoms Plucked at Dusk, ancient poetry and Eastern philosophy texts including Qu Yuan's The Songs of Chu and the works of Xunzi, educational works such as De Amicis's Cuore, and philosophy titles such as The Origin and Goal of History. Its authors include well-known Chinese and foreign writers and scholars such as Lu Xun, Qu Yuan, Xunzi, Hu Dalei, and Xia Mianzun. Overall, the press balances the organization of classic texts with the introduction of foreign works, forming a publishing profile that gives equal weight to literature, philosophy, and education.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 《壮族歌舞》编委会
- 第一编 壮族歌圩与歌路
- 第一章 那文化与歌唱习俗
- 第二章 歌圩的起源、形成及其流变
- 第三章 歌圩的形式与内容
- 第四章 歌圩的功能与流变
- 第五章 壮族“歌路”
- 第二编 壮族民歌
- 第一章 概述
- 第二章 生活歌
- 第三章 生产劳动歌
- 第四章 风俗歌
- 第五章 情歌
- 第六章 童谣
- 第三编 壮族舞蹈
- 第一章 概述
- 第二章 蚂
- 第三章 扁担舞
- 第四章 师公舞
- 第五章 壮采茶
- 第六章 其他舞种
FAQ
Does this book include step-by-step teaching of dance movements?
Does the book cover Zhuang song and dance from all regions of Guangxi?
As a cultural reader, how engaging is it?
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About the author
Guangxi Banking School is the credited author of the book Zhuang Song and Dance, and its name suggests a collective or institutional authorship. Public information is limited, so its specific nature and division of writing work cannot be confirmed; what is clear is that the book takes Zhuang song and dance as its subject and is classified under theory. That a banking-oriented school appears as the author of a work on ethnic song and dance suggests the book may have been intended for teaching or general reading, and it offers some reference value in organizing materials on Zhuang song and dance and introducing these art forms. On the available evidence, it is difficult to judge the writing style or scholarly depth, and readers should treat it as an introductory or reference work.
