Brief Introduction of Folk Dance "Two Ghosts Wrestling"

Brief Introduction of Folk Dance "Two Ghosts Wrestling"

Two Ghosts Wrestling, also known as Erwa Wrestling and Hill Wrestling, is a traditional folk dance performed by one person carrying two Ghosts Wrestling props. Next, I will introduce the folk dance "Two Ghosts Wrestling" to you, hoping to help you!

The form of wrestling between two ghosts is similar to a puppet. During the performance, the performer carried two ghost wrestling props on his back. There are two ghost heads facing each other, two pairs of shoulder-mounted artificial hands and two artificial legs, and the prop "body" is covered with camouflage clothes. During the performance, the performer holds a prosthetic leg in each hand as a "ghost" leg, and the performer's legs are used as "ghost" legs. Through the activities of the performers' legs, back and arms, and the comprehensive application of drama, acrobatics and martial arts such as pushing, kicking, turning, rolling and spinning, it gives the audience a comedy effect of two ghosts fighting and wrestling.

Wrestling between two ghosts has been passed down from ancestors to teachers. The first generation founder was Sun Bingwen, 1900, who was born in a poor peasant family at the east gate of the old town of Xiayi County. From the age of 13 to the age of 18, he practiced martial arts and developed a good martial arts. Later, Sun Bingwen joined the army. 1920, Sun Bingwen retired to China. Sun Bingwen studied and mastered high folk dance skills abroad, especially in the army. Despite frequent wars and intense military training, Sun Bingwen, who loves folk dance art, still spends time learning and practicing his skills. At that time, Mei Lanfang, a master of Chinese Peking Opera, went to Guangzhou to give a condolence performance for the troops, which caused a sensation among the whole army and the local people. As an attendant, the troops specially arranged for Sun Bingwen to perform a wrestling match between two ghosts. Mei Lanfang also praised: "Have fun. I have never seen such a good folk program! "

1In February, 984, Meng Xianchao, the third generation descendant of Two Ghosts Wrestling, and others went to Zhengzhou on behalf of Shangqiu area to participate in the "Fifth Henan Folk Music and Dance Show", mainly performing two ghosts wrestling and other programs, and won the excellent performance award awarded by the Henan Provincial Department of Culture. Once in the Great Hall of the People, two ghosts wrestled, and the audience was ecstatic and applauded.

Before the founding of New China, the "president" was generally responsible for organizing various forms of performances in rural areas. In terms of performance time, it is usually held at the ancient temple fairs on July 15th, Tomb-Sweeping Day and October 1st of the lunar calendar. In performance venues, mainly in squares, stages, streets, etc. After the founding of New China, under the organization and guidance of Xiayi County Cultural Center, the performance skills were improved and the performance forms were standardized through gatherings, cultural performances and other activities. 1984, when Ergui Wrestling in Xiayi County performed in the city, its form and content were reformed and renamed as "Hill Wrestling".

The performance style of "Two Ghosts" wrestling is unique, funny, mysterious and thrilling. There is only one performance team in Xiayi County in the whole eastern Henan province. This kind of dance can be performed on tables and stools, which is unique. Its rich content and characteristics are rare in China folk dance. However, due to various reasons, this folk dance is facing extinction. In the interview, Liu Yi, a fifth-generation descendant, went out to work for economic reasons. It is said that Liu Yi's performance level and difficulty coefficient have been greatly reduced.

In order to protect and inherit this precious folk dance, the Xiayi county government has formulated a five-year plan, which will further conduct a general survey of the old folk dancers and further understand the spreading process of the wrestling between the two ghosts. At the same time, in the next five years, the cultural department of Xiayi County will promote the integration of Ergui wrestling and other folk dances in order to achieve the purpose of prospering folk dances.

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