What is Tujia dance?

Tujia dances, including swing dance, meat ring dance, dragon lantern dance, Babel bell dance, Maogusi dance, vault dance, Ye Er chant dance and funeral dance, all have distinctive Tujia characteristics. Among them, Swing Dance, Maogusi Dance, Imitation Ye Er Dance, Meat Ring Dance and Dragon Lantern Dance have been included in the national intangible cultural heritage list.

The aesthetic modeling of Tujia dance elements is first of all a kind and expressive modeling that expresses different situations and feelings; Secondly, the shape symbolizing life, and thirdly, the beautiful and practical shape. These aesthetic modeling features reflect the rich artistic spirit accumulation after the baptism of multiple cultures.

Tujia dance embodies the worship of primitive totem. In Tujia dance, there are obvious totem symbols. For example, some people regard the tiger as an invincible sacred object and the worship of the white tiger as a system to regulate the clan behavior of Tujia ancestors, which has also become an important link to maintain internal unity of the clan.

Tujia dance embodies the worship of ancient ancestors. The funeral dance of Tujia nationality has never changed its sacrificial function from its birth to its finalization. According to historical records, this dance mainly comes from the reverence of ancient Tujia ancestors for their ancestor Lin Jun, from which we can see the special fanatical pursuit of religion by Tujia ancestors.

Tujia dance embodies high-spirited and enterprising group thought. Tujia nationality has a distinct personality, is generally open-minded, cheerful and enthusiastic. They skillfully combine the yearning for a better life with the pursuit of various Tujia dances.