Yangshan Phoenix Dance

Guangdong
🎧  Listen to Introduction

Fengwu, also known as Shuangfengwu, is mainly spread in Dubu Hankeng Village, Yangshan County, Qingyuan City. It is performed during folk festivals such as the Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival. In addition, it is also performed on occasions such as housewarming and weddings. Hankeng Fengwu originated from Huaiji, Zhaoqing. According to the story of Deng Jie, the ancestral home of the Deng family, Huaiji, Zhaoqing, in the 20th year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty (1592), there was already a custom of dancing phoenixes in Huaiji, Zhaoqing. In the 11th year of Xianfeng in the Qing Dynasty (1861), Deng Jie's grandfather moved to Hankeng, so Fengwu was introduced to Dubu Hankeng, Yangshan County. It has a history of more than 140 years since its introduction. Legend has it that in ancient times there was a small river in front of Dengjiazhai. On the hillside beside the river, there grew several lush green sycamore trees. A pair of beautiful phoenixes lived on the trees, chirping in the trees, or circling in the sky. One day, an official of the imperial court passed by in a sedan chair and saw the phoenix. He suddenly had evil intentions and wanted to lure it down and take it back to his house. However, the phoenix ignored him, so the official had no choice but to leave in anger. Later, a shepherd boy came under the sycamore tree and played the flute. The sound of the flute was crisp and pleasant, and the birds sang in harmony. Upon hearing the sound, the phoenix flew straight from the tree to the shepherd boy, spread its colorful feathers and danced gracefully. The shepherd boy took a bouquet of flowers to tease it, and the phoenix danced behind him, which surprised everyone. Coincidentally, the weather was good that year, and the crops were abundant. So, people made up a jingle: "The phoenix flew to my mountain nest, the shepherd boy played the flute and the phoenix came down the hill, ushering in a good harvest year, peace and happiness for the country and the people." Since then, people have regarded the phoenix as a symbol of good luck and auspiciousness, hoping that the phoenix would often come and bring a good harvest year. In order to place this good wish on the table, people weave phoenix props with bamboo strips, and use flutes, gongs, drums, suona and other musical instruments to add to the fun. They hold high two red wooden signs with the words "good weather, peace and prosperity" and "abundant harvests, and thriving livestock", hold a prayer box, go through the mountains and villages, and dance from door to door to show that they are exorcising evil spirits and eliminating disasters, and welcoming good fortune. The performance is mainly based on props. Percussion instruments are used as accompaniment, and suona (instead of the shepherd's earthen flute) is used to play the introduction and the interlude. Percussion instruments play a role in setting off and rendering, making the atmosphere of the whole scene quite lyrical, cheerful and warm. The style characteristics of the double phoenix dance are mainly: dynamic and vigorous, lively and lively, steady and varied movements. The focus of the movement is on the feet, requiring the steps to be firmly placed, and the kneeling of the legs to be driven by the feet; at the same time, the body, waist and palms must be active (the left hand controls the wings to open and close, and the right hand controls the twisting and swinging of the phoenix head and the opening and closing of the mouth), and the coordination is smooth.

Intangible culture related to the heritage

China tourist attractions related to the heritage