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Grand Songs of the Dong Ethnic Minority

The songs may be solo or chorus, with the latter featuring multiple voice parts: alt, mediant, and bass or only alt and bass. Bass is the main part, which, while performing, lasts for a long time, lingering like the loquacious murmuring of a brook. The alt is free to express itself, imitating hundreds of birds twittering at the same time. Harmonious and prefect, grand songs have graceful melody and free rhythm, quick or slow. Sometimes, they are calm and fluent, full of sentiments, sometimes smart and bold, full of grand might, and at other times sweetly and clearly broad, echoing and attractive.

Singing masters of the Dong songs

The Dong people treasures their grand songs very much, believing that songs are knowledge and that the one capable of singing a great many songs is knowledgeable. In the areas when the Dongs live, singing masters are hailed as the most intelligent and sensible, and hence are highly respected by the local people. As the most important part of the Dong songs, the graceful and plain grand songs truthfully represent the Dong people's love for life, nature, and their hometown, and vividly portrait the ethnic group's character: honesty, warm-heartedness, sincerity, and passion.


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