Yangge in Shaanxi
Yangge is a representative collective folk dance that combines
music, dance and feats, by manipulations of the silk handkerchiefs and movements
of the feet. It's the most popular festive performance esp. in the countryside
of northern China. It's originated from rice planting and farming and has some
connection with ancient eulogy songs sung in sacrifices to the God of the Farm.
Nearly every village in northern Shaanxi Province has a yangge group, which begins to rehearse
the yangge almost a month before the lunar New Year's Day. On that day, after
eating jiaozi, the yangge group begins paying New Year calls to house to house.
They wish the hosts a happy New Year and do the yangge dance in the courtyards.
Accompanied by drums, they wave red silk waist bands. The hosts set off
firecrackers to welcome the dancers' arrival and invite them to taste their
home-made rice wine. The sounds of songs, drums and firecrackers blend, creating
a festive atmosphere in the village.
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