Abstract
The Yizhen troupes in Tainan that perform singing and dancing have mostly been long-established, and their performing style is Tayao, a folk art with local color being rich in content, ceremonial and entertaining, and still popular among people. As for the research of traditional performing arts, this is a very important cultural asset. Through these singing and dancing performances, we could have a glimpse at the early performing style and simple forms. We could witness not only the important process of Xiqu development, but also this dynamic cultural art being preserved in the torrent of culture. This paper will firstly begin by exploring the distinctiveness of the ritualization of Yizhen singing and dancing, and examine Zu-ma-zhen as the example. The ritualistic performances of Zu-ma-zhen are in nine "arrays" and "formations," including (1) Rao-zhen: Yuan-zhen (a circle array); (2) attending the worshiping ceremony for Tianfu Yuanshuai: Yuan-zhen and Henglie-zhen (a cross array); (3) attending the worshiping ceremony for Zushiye: Yuan-zhen and Henglie-zhen; (4) Kai-da-xiao and Kai-si-men: Yuan-zhen and Fang-zhen (a square array); (5) Rao-zhen in change: Yuan-zhen and Jiaozhi-zhen (an intersecting array); (6) Fen-zhen-ying-yang-dui-li: Zhixing-zhen, Duilie-zhen, Jiaozhi-zhen; (7) Fen-zhen-ying-yang-rao-zhen: Zhixing-zhen, Jaiozhi-zhen, Yuan-zhen; (8) Ying-yang-jao-cha-hui-zhen: Yuan-zhen, Jiaozhi-zhen; (9) He-qi-ru-zhen: Zhixing-zhen, Yuan-zhen and etc. Secondly, description and pictures will be juxtaposed to analyze the richness of performing features of singing and dancing in Yizhen, Tainan. The "kha-pō chhiú-lō" (physical gestures and movements in Taiwanese) of "Dan" and "Jiao" will also be investigated from five perspectives, including (1) hand gestures; (2) feet and leg movements; (3) makeup; (4) the interactive movements (Duinong) for Dan and Jiao; (5) to salute and worship in the temple, etc. Thirdly, the diversity of Duinong singing and dancing in Yizhen, Tainan. They are three types: (1) the traditional religious classic type; (2) the modern commercial active type; (3) the modern body-building and entertaining type. Lastly, the paper will discuss how the Yizhen troupes in Tainan that chiefly perform songs, dances and acrobatics have been affected by the change of the current social modes and then gradually decline, and also give advice to the acting troupes and the government how to cope with the change. Hopefully, the analysis and discussion on the performing features of Yizhen troupes in Tainan presented in this paper will inspire more researchers to pay attention to the traditional performing arts, and encourage young people to appreciate more deeply the meaning and function of the performing features of Yizhen troupes.
Translated title of the contribution | The Performing Features of Yizhen Singing and Dancing in Tainan |
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Original language | Chinese (Traditional) |
Pages (from-to) | 87-129 |
Number of pages | 43 |
Journal | 藝術學報 = Journal of National Taiwan College of Arts |
Issue number | 108 |
Publication status | Published - 2021 Jun |