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Walking on Stilts
Gaoqiao performance requires high skills and varies in forms. Usually the performers tie two long stilts to their feet, making them higher than others when standing on stilts. On their "moving stage", they are deeply loved by masses. Most stilts used today are made from wood. There are "double stilts" and "single stilt" performances. The double stilts are usually tied to one's shank to fully demonstrate his skill; and the single stilt is held by the performer so that he can go up and down freely. The performance can be also divided into "Wenqiao" (the civil one) and "Wuqiao" (the martial one). The former stresses appearance and amusement, while the latter emphasizes individual unique skill. Gaoqiao has now assumed strong local flavor and national color. In Shandong Province, Gaoqiao is done at three levels, and people at the upper level stand on the shoulder of the lower ones. In Beijing and Tianjin, performers show their high skills by jumping on one foot or going through obstacles. Some performers can even jump down from four highly-piled tables on one foot. In Northeast China, Gaoqiao in southern Liaoning
Province is the most famous. It has complete procedures and a standard form.
At first, performers must "Daxiang", that is, one stands on the shoulder of
another and do a yangko
dance. Then they run to change queue formations. At last, they perform in groups
including pair dancing, "catching butterflies", "fishing" and small local
operas, etc.
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