On October 31, the D@S (Dance at SCCCA) hosted a unique and engaging Chinese folk dance experience.
Led by Ms. Han, Director of the CDCSC, participants explored three distinctive movements from traditional Chinese folk dance: Shǎn Shēn Bù (Dodge and Turn Step), Làng Zi Tī Qiú (Playful Ball-Kicking Movement), and Gǒu Xióng Duō Suō Máo (Bear Shaking Its Fur).
Through learning the movements and experiencing their rhythms, participants discovered the rich folk dance traditions of different regions of China.
Chinese folk dance is more than a form of physical art. It is a vibrant expression of the lifestyles, aesthetic values, customs, and cultural spirit of people from different regions.
Behind even the simplest-looking movement, there may be an interesting story rooted in local traditions and everyday life.
1. Anhui Huagu Deng: A Folk Dance Rooted in Everyday Life
The two movements introduced during the event, Shǎn Shēn Bù (Dodge and Turn Step) and Làng Zi Tī Qiú (Playful Ball-Kicking Movement), both originate from Anhui Huagu Deng, a traditional folk dance from Anhui Province.
Huagu Deng is primarily found in Bengbu and the Huai River region of Anhui.
It is recognized as a National-Level Intangible Cultural Heritage of China and is one of the most representative forms of traditional Han Chinese folk dance.
Locally, the lively expression "playing the lanterns" (Wán Dēng) is often used to describe Huagu Deng festivities.
These celebrations combine dance, folk songs, and traditional drum and percussion music.
Especially during Chinese New Year and other major festivals, communities gather to sing and dance, celebrating with joy and excitement while expressing their hopes, happiness, and strong connection to their local traditions.
Huagu Deng features two important performance roles: male dancers are known as Gǔ Jià Zi (Drum Frames), while female dancers are called Lán Huā (Orchids).
Through coordinated steps, body movements, facial expressions, and gestures, the two roles create lively and playful interactions.
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Shǎn Shēn Bù: Agility and Playfulness in Motion
In Huagu Deng performances, female dancers often hold fans and interact with male dancers through movements involving dodging, chasing, and responding to one another.
These playful exchanges create a lively and entertaining atmosphere.
Although Shǎn Shēn Bù may appear to be a simple movement of quickly turning or shifting the body, it actually requires dancers to maintain precise control over their balance, rhythm, and movement.
It also reflects the distinctive humor and playful spirit of Huagu Deng.
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Làng Zi Tī Qiú: Turning Everyday Play into Dance
Làng Zi Tī Qiú is another movement originating from Anhui Huagu Deng.
The "ball" in its name is associated with the embroidered ball decorations traditionally found on the shoes worn by the female Lán Huā dancers.
Through exaggerated, agile, and playful movements, dancers transform everyday games and teasing interactions into artistic expressions on stage.
Beyond requiring physical coordination, this movement illustrates how traditional folk dance draws inspiration from ordinary life and transforms it into artistic storytelling.
2. Shandong Guzi Yangge: The Bold and Energetic Spirit of Folk Dance
Gǒu Xióng Duō Suō Máo (Bear Shaking Its Fur) originates from a classic foundational movement in Shandong Guzi Yangge, a traditional folk dance from Shandong Province.
Guzi Yangge is one of the representative folk dance traditions of northern China, primarily passed down in the Shandong region.
Unlike the lively and playful character of Anhui Huagu Deng, Guzi Yangge is known for its bold, powerful, and uninhibited movements, reflecting the distinctive cultural character of northern China.
The name "Bear Shaking Its Fur" is both amusing and descriptive.
Through trembling, shaking, and energetic body movements, dancers evoke the image of a bear vigorously shaking its body.
However, this movement is not simply an imitation of an animal.
More importantly, it expresses the characteristic spirit of Shandong folk dance: honest and unpretentious, warm and enthusiastic, bold and full of vitality.
Through a single movement, we can appreciate how folk dances from different regions incorporate observations of nature, everyday experiences, and local cultural characteristics into artistic expression.
3. Discovering a Culture Through a Single Movement
This event offered participants more than the opportunity to learn three interesting Chinese dance movements.
It also introduced them to two traditional folk dance forms with distinctive regional identities.
From the agility and playfulness of Anhui Huagu Deng to the bold and powerful movements of Shandong Guzi Yangge, participants experienced the diverse dance styles shaped by China's regional cultures.
The beauty of Chinese folk dance lies not only in its movements, but also in the stories and traditions behind them.
These dances document everyday life, preserve local customs and cultural memories, and allow traditional culture to continue through generations of physical expression and artistic practice.
Through more engaging, educational, and professionally guided cultural experiences, D@S hopes to help participants discover Chinese traditional culture firsthand and appreciate the unique charm of folk art through movement and dance.
Every dance experience begins with a single movement; every cultural journey can begin with a single step.