Taiping Shifan

Fujian
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The folk instrumental music "Shifan" originated in Fuzhou and was introduced to Zhanghu Xikou during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It has been about 200 years since then. The folk instrumental music "Shifan" was introduced to Nanping from Zhanghu Xikou in 1990, and the "Yanping District Cultural Center Folk Festival Performance Team" was established in 2003 under the leadership of the Yanping District Cultural Center. Now "Shifan" has become popular in all towns and villages in Yanping District. "Shifan" has become an indispensable instrumental music for rural temple fairs. It is an ensemble composed of ten instruments, namely: Langchuan drum, big gong, small gong, big plectrum, small plectrum, small suona, flute, erhu, sanxian, and doujuan. As early as the Ming and Qing Dynasties, temple fairs, Lantern Festival celebrations, and street parades in Fuzhou area began to use this "Shifan" song. It was introduced to Zhanghu area in the early 20th century. It was passed on to Zhang Anqing (now 89 years old) by the master "Wutouzhu" (deceased). It was passed on to Huang Yushun in the 1960s. "Shifan" is a cultural phenomenon created and spread in an informal and unofficial form in the nature of customs. It is a music that is widely spread in folk religions and festivals and is loved by the people. Therefore, it has the value of sociological and folklore research. With the continuous growth of material civilization and the improvement of people's living standards, active folk art activities are the spiritual enjoyment pursued by the people. It is of great significance to the creation of a noble spiritual civilization and has important cultural value. Before liberation, it was already popular in Yanping District and all parts of Fujian. There are "Shifan" bands everywhere during festivals, Lantern Festivals, and temple fairs. After liberation (especially the ten-year catastrophe of the Cultural Revolution), it disappeared for a time and was on the verge of being lost. After the reform and opening up, it was restored, but the original old artists have passed away, and the surviving old artists are unable to pass on the newcomers due to their advanced age. Now "Shifan" is popular in temple fairs, Lantern Festivals, festivals, and street activities in various places. But they are all amateur, and many of the scores are very distorted from the originals and can only be said to be similar. Therefore, it is suggested that in order to pass on this folk custom, a professional "Folk Tenth Band" should be established to pass on this folk art.

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