Moving into the future
Updated: 2014-03-30 07:37
(China Daily)
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An elderly artisan perpetuates an ethnic dance listed as a Hubei provincial intangible cultural heritage
Dong Xinglin was born in a remote village in Enshi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture in Hubei province. In 2013, the elderly artisan set up a 25-person professional troupe in Xuan'en township in the prefecture to promote Xuan'en Shuashua, a Hubei provincial intangible cultural heritage. The art is the traditional Tujia ethnic dance, which dates back to the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) and enjoys wide popularity in Tujia settlements in Enshi. The 78-year-old is the fourth generation of his family to carry out the traditional art. After years of performances in villages, the old artisan has moved to town to pass down the ethnic cultural trove to more people.
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Dong Xinglin (right) performs Xuan'en Shuashua in Xuan'en county in the county's first intangible cultural heritage show. Photos by Song Wen / Xinhua |
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The Dong family must travel rough terrain to arrive at performance venues. |
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Dong Xinglin and his family members have moved from his home village to government-run low-rent houses in the township. |
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Dong enjoys performing the ancient art with neighbors. |
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Dong says it is his responsibility to pass down the art to younger generations. |
(China Daily 03/30/2014 page6)