Dong People - Culture

Culture

The Dong or Kam People are internationally renowned for their polyphonic choir singing called Kgal Laox in their own language (Chinese: 侗族大歌), which can be literally translated as Kam Grand Choir in English. The Kam Grand Choir has been enlisted by the UNESCO as a world-class intangible cultural heritage since 2009. Dong choral songs include nature songs, narratives, and children's songs.

One-part songs (as opposed to polyphonic, or many-part, songs) can be sung be one or many people (Geary 2003:246-247). They include:

  • Duo Ye songs
  • Love songs - accompanied by the pipa or niutuiqin
  • Drinking songs
  • Bride's songs
  • Mourning songs
  • Pipa songs

Operas are also highly popular among the Dong, and are performed by local opera troupes (Geary 2003:244). Two famous Dong playwrights are Wu Wencai (1798–1845), author of Mei Liangyu, and Zhang Honggan (1779–1839).

Dong oral literature contains a rich array of legends and folk tales. Many of these popular tales are about the leaders of past uprisings (Geary 2003:218). Celebrated leaders include:

  • Xing Ni - An ancient figure, whose legend dates possibly from the Tang Dynasty (Geary 2003:7).
  • Wu Mian - Leader of a 1378 rebellion during the Ming Dynasty due to drought and famine.
  • Lin Kuan - Led a 1397 rebellion but was later executed. Popular among the Northern Dong and is commemorated by an ancient tree.
  • Wu Jinyin - Wu revolted in the 1740 to resist grain taxes, but was killed in 1741.

Popular folk tales are listed below. They can be found in The Kam People of China by D. Norman Geary.

  • The two orphan brothers
  • The unfriendly eldest brother
  • Ding Lang and the dragon princess
  • Zhu Lang and Niang Mei
  • Shan Lang and E Mei
  • Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai
  • Suo Lao
  • Mei Dao
  • The frog and the swallow (rice agriculture tale)
  • The dog (rice agriculture tale)
  • The singing tree (origin of singing tale)
  • Liang Niangni (origin of singing tale)
  • Lou Niang (drum tower tale)

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