What are the characteristics of Gelao dance?

The dance forms of Gelao nationality are changeable, and its beautiful movements and coordination can be called exquisite art in dance. In the traditional dance of Gelao nationality, tap dance has the most national characteristics. With the development of the times, tap dancing gradually disappears, which may become another cultural heritage that disappears from our vision. Needless to say, it is a unique folk dance culture of the Gelao nationality-354-step hall dance.

The Gelao tap dance is a sacrificial dance in the traditional funeral ceremony of the Gelao people in Zunyi County. In ancient times, this dance was performed in front of the tomb of the dead, but in modern times, it is performed in the mourning hall. Dance in the hall is led by 3~4 people, playing lusheng, ringing bells, shaking forks and hitting money poles. Everybody hold hands, and then. People sing and dance and walk with their feet. They shouted "Hehehehehe" from time to time. Several other women held torches, flagons, wine bowls and glasses to propose a toast to the dancers beside the queue. Tang Wu has complex queue changes, such as four petals, wicker fish and plum blossom array.

The Gelao people dancing in the hall are called "Aunt Bi". It originated from the sacrifice of the Gelao people to their ancestors. Legend has it that in ancient times, the ancestors of the Gelao people in Zhengping lived in remote mountainous areas and forests. They accidentally fell from the mountain and died in the canyon. After waiting for many days, the family didn't see them go home. They searched around for 7749 days and finally found the body at the foot of the cliff. However, crows and baskets full of insects and ants are scrambling to bite food. Their children and grandchildren were furious, waving their arms, stamping their feet and stepping on them. But they ran away, and the birds and insects came back and trampled them to death.

Fortunately, a man named Milu came up with a way to protect his body, which made everyone happy. After that, several bamboos were tied together, which made the sound louder and the effect better. This is the Lusheng of the Gelao nationality, the most primitive tap dance music. Later, the Gelao people in Zhengping used tap dance in the activity of "shooting cows and worshipping gods".

"Daga" is one of the 12 sacrificial ceremonies to be concluded soon. The location was chosen on a hillside. First of all, Fu will recite the eulogy in the language of the Gelao people. Then, Gu will cut the cow with his axe. At this time, the dance of entering the hall will begin. The number of dancers varies, and there are five kinds of wind instruments such as stepping on snakes, stepping on insects and stepping on ants. People shout "ouch, ouch" in unison from time to time, and the sound of moving forward or backward keeps repeating. At the dance, a woman lit a torch with a tea tray full of rice wine and a rice bucket full of wine. Called "Send Rice Wine to Noon", the caterer gave rice wine to the dancers and made them laugh at each other.

When tap dancing is used in the ritual of offering sacrifices to gods, his dance is straightforward, fanatical and simple. Once transplanted into marriage and love, its atmosphere is warm, cheerful and elegant. It is an outstanding expression of the traditional culture of the Gelao nationality, which contains the belief and value orientation of the Gelao nationality.

With the continuous progress of society, the rapid development of economy and the long-term influence of foreign culture, tap dance has only been preserved in Zhengping Gelao Township, Zunyi County, but few people can do it, which is in danger of being lost.