Folk Drama of Dong Ethnic
The Dong people are famous for their folk drama. Their literary is abundant with narrative poems, pipa songs and epics.
A men named Wu Wencai wrote and performed the first Dong operatic play, "Mei Liangyu", about 150 years ago. Accompanied by lyric pipa songs, this play marked the formation of a Dong tradition that is still being carried out today.
Stories of Dong plays come from both Han and Dong narrative poems. Some are historical plays, such as "Wu Mian", a hero from the Ming Dynasty who led 200,000 Dong and Miao people in a series of uprisings covering a period of eight years. In the play, Wu Mian takes on mythical properties.
Although drawn from Han theatrics, Dong drama has its own unique characteristics, such as the inclusion of a clown, a figure often depicted to delight and amuse the audience.
The clowns wear black masks or paint white lines on their faces and noses. Some paint a frog on their noses or the Chinese character symbolizing "good luck" and "good harvest".
Almost every village has amateur opera troupes, who are often invited to perform in neighboring villages, towns and cities where they are warmly received by young and old. They are greeted with good-hearted jests and songs of greeting by villagers and townfolk who block their way by putting obstacles in their entry path. The villagers allow them to pass only after the actors reply in song.
Must-see Villages in Guizhou and Guangxi
Basha Zhaoxing Tang'An Xijiang Sanjiang Longsheng
Festival Calendar in Guizhou
February 2011
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More places to go in Guizhou
In Guizhou, Miao ethnic in Basha village might be the only native trible who still dress in traditional clothes during their work. ...more
Kaili is a city in the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, a significant population of Miao and Gejia live in Kaili. Kaili is host to more than 120 Miao festivals throughout the year....more
Zhaoxing is one of the largest Dong villages in the region, many local people continue to wear traditional clothing and speak only their native Dong language. ...more
Must-see Villages in Guizhou and Guangxi
Basha Zhaoxing Tang'An Xijiang Sanjiang Longsheng
Frequently asked questions in Guizhou
