Music of Manchuria
Encyclopedia
The music of Northeast China
is influenced by the folk traditions of the Manchu
and other ethnic group
s in the region. There is a great variety of music in the region, with the most well-known throughout China
possibly being the Youyouzha, a kind of lullaby
that has spread throughout the country. Prominent performers from the Northeast include the mid-20th century film composer Lei Zhenbang and pop stars Xiao Ke
and Na Ying
.
Ethnic Manchu
music is dominated by percussion instruments and is has largely been influenced by their native shamanism
. Two forms of drum prevail, the wooden framed imcin, and the metal framed dangu which also has a handle attached to the ring. The dangu is the instrument most strongly identified with Manchu shamans.
The octagonal drum
is an important and distinctive musical instrument
, said to derive from one made from eight pieces of wood given by the eight tribes of the Manchu people, thus symbolizing the unity of these tribes. During the Qing Dynasty
, the instrument spread to Beijing
and Tianjin
, and is still known there
Northeast China
Northeast China, historically known in English as Manchuria, is a geographical region of China, consisting of the three provinces of Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang. The region is sometimes called the Three Northeast Provinces...
is influenced by the folk traditions of the Manchu
Manchu
The Manchu people or Man are an ethnic minority of China who originated in Manchuria . During their rise in the 17th century, with the help of the Ming dynasty rebels , they came to power in China and founded the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China until the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which...
and other ethnic group
Ethnic group
An ethnic group is a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, often consisting of a common language, a common culture and/or an ideology that stresses common ancestry or endogamy...
s in the region. There is a great variety of music in the region, with the most well-known throughout China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
possibly being the Youyouzha, a kind of lullaby
Lullaby
A lullaby is a soothing song, usually sung to young children before they go to sleep, with the intention of speeding that process. As a result they are often simple and repetitive. Lullabies can be found in every culture and since the ancient period....
that has spread throughout the country. Prominent performers from the Northeast include the mid-20th century film composer Lei Zhenbang and pop stars Xiao Ke
Xiao Ke
Xiao Ke was a general in the People's Liberation Army of China, former vice chairman of the CPPCC, as well as principal of the University of Military and Politics.-Early life:Xiao was born in Jiahe County, Hunan Province of China....
and Na Ying
Na Ying
Na Ying is a Chinese vocalist. She is considered as one of the best present-day female singers in Mainland China, having sold more than 10 million albums. She is also noted for her buoyant and forthright personality....
.
Ethnic Manchu
Manchu
The Manchu people or Man are an ethnic minority of China who originated in Manchuria . During their rise in the 17th century, with the help of the Ming dynasty rebels , they came to power in China and founded the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China until the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which...
music is dominated by percussion instruments and is has largely been influenced by their native shamanism
Shamanism
Shamanism is an anthropological term referencing a range of beliefs and practices regarding communication with the spiritual world. To quote Eliade: "A first definition of this complex phenomenon, and perhaps the least hazardous, will be: shamanism = technique of ecstasy." Shamanism encompasses the...
. Two forms of drum prevail, the wooden framed imcin, and the metal framed dangu which also has a handle attached to the ring. The dangu is the instrument most strongly identified with Manchu shamans.
The octagonal drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
is an important and distinctive musical instrument
Musical instrument
A musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...
, said to derive from one made from eight pieces of wood given by the eight tribes of the Manchu people, thus symbolizing the unity of these tribes. During the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
, the instrument spread to Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
and Tianjin
Tianjin
' is a metropolis in northern China and one of the five national central cities of the People's Republic of China. It is governed as a direct-controlled municipality, one of four such designations, and is, thus, under direct administration of the central government...
, and is still known there