Youyang Tujia Hand-Waving Dance

A Brief Introduction to Youyang Tujia Hand-Waving Dance

Hand-Waving Dance is the unique dance of Tujia nationality and Youyang is the birthplace of Tujia Hand-Waving Dance. Youyang Tujia Hand-Waving Dance was originally a dance for sacrificing. Hand-Waving Dance is one of the main symbols of Tujia nationality different from other nationalities. Youyang Hand-Waving Dance is praised as the "Western Disco" for its native, national, mass, plain and natural characters. Youyang Tujia Hand-Waving Dance can be regarded as the epitome of Tujia people's history and life. It presents the origin, migration and religious belief of Tujia nationality in the form of colorful dancing pictures. Thus Youyang Tujia Hand-Waving Dance is also called the "Encyclopedia of Tujia People".

Sites of Youyang Tujia Hand-Waving Dance

In the places where Tujia people inhabit, there are special sites for Hand-Waving Dance, called Baishoutang (Hand-Waving Dance Ground). Baishoutang (Hand-Waving Dance Ground) is always paved with flat and smooth stone slabs. In the center of the ground, a sweet osmanthus tree or a pine tree or a cypress tree is planted. Baishoutang (Hand-Waving Dance Ground) is the place for enshrining and worshiping the ancestors. Each year, local people will come here to hold the sacrifice activity. And the Hand-Waving Dance is the main component of the sacrifice.

Content of Youyang Tujia Hand-Waving Dance

Youyang Tujia Hand-Waving Dance is rich in content. It involves the origin of human beings, myths and legends, migration of Tujia people, the ancient wars, the primitive slash-and-burn farming method, daily life and so on. Hand-Waving Dance about farm works mainly displays the agricultural activities of Tujia people, such as earth-cutting, sowing, cotton-spinning, cloth -waving and so on. Hand-Waving Dance about daily life shows activities like ground-sweeping, mosquito-killing, Ciba-making (Ciba is a kind of glutinous rice cake) and so on.

Main Actions of Youyang Tujia Hand-Waving Dance

Hand-Waving Dance is divided into Big Hand-Waving (Hand-Waving of the whole arms) and Small Hand-Waving (Hand-Waving of only the forearms). Youyang Tujia Hand-Waving Dance belongs to the Small Waving. The main actions of Youyang Tujia Hand-Waving Dance includes single-hand waving, double-hands waving and swing waving. Arms and legs on the same side are moved at the same time, with light shaking of the body. The actions of Youyang Tujia Hand-Waving Dance seem full of life and with rich Tujia national characters.