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FOLK MUSIC OF VOL. 7

Folk Songs of the Yi and Qiang tribes in & FOLK SONGS OF THE YI AND QIANG TRIBES IN SICHUAN & YUNNAN

QIANG 1 Qi La Wa Ge Er, a Shalang song 1:34 2 Ni Sa, a ritual song 1:53 3 Ge Bu Ze Ni Ruo Yi , a labour song 2:38 4 Suo Ya La Ma, a Shalang song 1:44 5 Ha La Yi, a harvest song 1:33 6 Tao Gan Tao, a celebration song 1:32 7 A Wine Song (Qiang Tribe) 1:57 8 Ji Si Ni Ruo Yi Mo, a Shalang song 1:15 9 Mi, an animal grazing song 2:08 10 O La Yi You, a toasting song 1:57

YI 11 Nanjian Da Ge, a dancing song 2:02 12 Treat Our Guests to 1:00 13 A Bridal Song (Yi Tribe) 2:22 14 Perform Da Ge until Dawn 1:00 15 Seaweed Song 1:22 16 Song of Compliments 1:05 17 Da Ge Song 1:09 18 A Happy Song (Yi Tribe) 2:13 19 Missing a Lover (Yi Tribe Female Solo) 2:55 20 A Love Song Duet (Yi Tribe) 2:31 21 Love Song of the Yi 1:04 22 Picking Flowers 2:42 23 Perform Da Ge until Mountains Move 1:33 24 Missing a Lover (Yi Tribe Male Chorus) 0:50 25 Four Songs about Alcohol 2:00

TOTAL PLAYING TIME: 43:57 FOLK , VOL. 7: FOLK SONGS OF THE YI AND QIANG TRIBES IN SICHUAN & YUNNAN

A brief introduction to the regions and peoples

This album features songs from the Qiang and the Yi tribes, who both mainly live in the mountainous regions of southwestern China, specifically in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. Many of the Yi folk songs make reference to the mountains in this region, especially in love songs and group dance songs, as heard in tracks 19 and 23 . The music of both of these two minority groups includes lively short dance songs in duple metre and melodious labour or love songs that employ a free rhythm.

At first, you may not be able to distinguish between the music of these two minority groups; in fact, the two tribes are closely related and the Yi are thought to be descendants of ancient Qiang tribes. The languages of the Qiang and Yi both belong to the Sino-Tibetan language phylum. Yet the music of each tribe has its own distinct characteristics. Although both of them often prefer high pitches, the songs of the Yi tribe use a broader vocal range. The dance songs of the Qiang have lively rhythms and are structured with repetitions of a few musical phrases. The dance songs of the Yi incorporate more melodic and rhythmic variations and long, resounding cries. The cries also appear in other types of Yi songs, for example, the middle of track 23 , and the beginning and end of track 24 .

It is noteworthy that the songs featured here have distinct local characteristics, which may differentiate them from the songs of the Qiang and Yi minority groups living in other parts of China. The Qiang songs in this album come from Xin Beichuan County, the only Qiang in China. This entire community was relocated to the north of Sichuan province, after the Wenchuan earthquake devastated the original Beichuan County in 2008. The earthquake caused considerable fatalities of the Qiang population and had a profound impact on their culture.

The songs of the Yi tribe featured in this album were recorded in Nanjian County, one of more than twenty Yi autonomous areas. Dozens of Yi branches have developed distinct musical styles, which employ lyrics either in Yi languages or Chinese. The Yi songs in this album illustrate the Yi musical features from Yunnan province. For instance, track 15 is one of the ‘seaweed songs’ that are popular among the Yi in Yunnan, yet are unfamiliar to the ears of the Yi in Sichuan. Key Musical Styles

Shalang and Da Ge: Songs for Circle Dances

Both tribes have songs for circle dances, the Shalang from the Qiang and Da Ge from the Yi. These are variants of an ancient form of secular stepping dance. The stepping dance represents an old tradition that is often depicted in Chinese poems and paintings. Its primary features include singing in a circle and stepping rhythmically. Several minorities still perform stepping dances with different names. For example, the Tibetans also have a collective circle dance named Guozhuang.

The Qiang hold Shalang dances at celebrations and at funerals. The dance expresses their happiness or sorrow. The Shalang songs for celebrations are cheerful and fast, while those for funerals use low voices and slow tempos. The celebration songs are usually monophonic, and most of them employ relatively plain melodies within one octave. When you listen to the Shalang songs, try to imagine dancers moving counterclockwise from slow to fast after forming two circles, one with men and the other with women. The twist their waists, wriggle their knees, and shake their shoulders in the celebratory Shalang dances. They also wine whilst dancing. Tracks 1 , 4 and 8 all belong to this type.

Da Ge, literally meaning ‘hitting the song’, is popular among the Yi branches living in the west and southwest of Yunnan province. The Yi perform Da Ge at festivals and weddings. When a Da Ge starts, people hold each other’s hands and dance in a circle with stepping as the main movement. Sonorous and vigorous cries sometimes intersperse in rhythmic melodies, such as tracks 11 and 23 . A Da Ge usually lasts for a long time. During a wedding, Da Ge starts when it gets dark and lasts until the dawn. The name of track 14 ‘Perform Da Ge until Dawn’ and track 23 ‘Perform Da Ge until Mountains Move’ both present this feature and the passions of the Yi. Although in this album the Da Ge songs are unaccompanied, usually Da Ge employ instruments such as the flute, cucurbit flute, and the sanxian, a three-stringed Chinese lute. The of instruments in Da Ge varies in different regions. The players also join in the dance circle, sometimes leading the team and controlling the rhythm. Nowadays, people also play recorded music as an accompaniment for Da Ge. Ritual Songs

The traditional life of the Qiang intertwines with their religious beliefs. The religious leaders of the Qiang perform their classics in a narrative singing form during sacred or secular rituals. All the melodies and classics are transmitted in an oral tradition. The tunes are often of aged simplicity. Track 2 features a ritual song, which is a melodious duet.

Labour Songs

Farming is the main livelihood of the Qiang; some of them also herd. They are known to sing labour songs whilst they work in the fields or pastures, and their melodious voices resonate through the mountains. Sung in free rhythm, the labour songs that can be heard on tracks 3 and 5 are sung in high pitches of long duration. Track 5 is a duet that the Qiang sing when they harvest in the fields. As the only pastoral song included in this album, track 9 starts with a lingering note and ends with astonishing cries. The tuneful labour songs bring to mind an open and beautiful environment where the singers work with relaxed feelings.

Love Songs

Yi music has developed a rich tradition of love songs dividing into short songs of solos or duets, and long suites that are mostly sung in unison. These are usually sung outdoors. Some of these are affectionate and express their subtle lovesickness; others are more immediately visceral and deal with themes such as deep longing and innermost desires for love and happiness. The love songs depicting the yearning between lovers are freer in rhythm and are full of melodic ups and downs. For example, the repetitive appearance of a descending melodic contour in track 19 vividly imitates the feeling of longing between lovers. The songs telling of enthusiastic love are in duple metre, some in strongly accented rhythm. The singing of lovesickness presents a melismatic tendency. The songs themed with love confession show a syllabic trend. The Yi songs often include repeated added-lyrics, some of which are nonsense words. For example, the three syllables ‘ah su sei’ as typical added-lyrics frequently appear in tracks 16 , 18 and 22 . Seaweed Songs

Seaweed songs are one of the four grand suites of the Yi love songs in Yunnan. The four suites of love songs are named after the features of their origins. The seaweed songs originate in the Yilong Lake region which is rich in seaweed. The there sing the seaweed tunes while picking this aquatic plant. The grand suite of love songs is not only a melodic pool, but also includes a group of singing techniques. The three parts of seaweed songs require the and the choir to use the chest voice and head voice alternatively. In track 15 , the leading female voice starts first, then the choir joins and sings in unison. In Chinese popular culture, the singer brought the head voice from seaweed songs to public view with a new interpretation of Yunnan folk song A Little Stream.

Wine Songs

Both the Yi and the Qiang are famous for wine brewing and consumption. Wine is considered a necessary part of various celebrations, sacrificial rituals, weddings, or funerals. Both minority groups have their systems of drinking rites. The hosts and guests all toast with wine songs. Tracks 7 , 10 , 12 and 24 all feature this style.

Jasmine Zhou

Beijing

CHINA Sichuan

NEPAL

Yunnan INDIA

THAILAND LYRICS

QIANG TRIBE 6 Tao Gan Tao, a celebration song Singers: Luo Wenbai, Yang Hua, 1 Qi La Wa Ge Er, a Shalang song Gou Yonglin, Bai Yongyue, Chen Zhaoying Singers: Liang Rong, Li, Wang Qin, A song that is performed at weddings, Wang Ju, Zhang Rong, Liu Chunqing, festivals, or when Qiang tribe members Li Cuiping, Liu Dehuan welcome guests. A variation of Shalang song. 7 A Wine Song (Qiang Tribe) 2 Ni Sa, a ritual song Singer: Wang Anlian Singers: Suo Jimei, Shang Meta A folk song about wine from the Beichuan A song for festive occasions and sacrificing region. ceremonies. 8 Ji Si Ke Ni Ruo Yi Mo, a Shalang song 3 Ge Bu Ze Ni Ruo Yi Mo, a labour song Singers: Liang Rong, Li Li, Wang Qin, Singers: Liang Rong, Li Li, Wang Qin, Wang Ju, Zhang Rong, Liu Chunqing, Wang Ju, Zhang Rong, Liu Chunqing, Li Cuiping, Liu Dehuan Li Cuiping, Liu Dehuan A third variation of Shalang song. A folk song for labour days. 9 Xia Mi, an animal grazing song 4 Suo Ya La Bai Ma, a Shalang song Singer: Wang Anlian Singer: Wang Anlian A song about animals grazing in open A second variation of Shalang song. pastures.

5 Ha Zhu La Yi, a harvest song 10 O La Yi You, a toasting song Singers: Suo Jimei, Shang Meta Singers: Luo Wenbai, Yang Hua, Gou A song that farmers sing when harvesting Yonglin, Bai Yongyue, Chen Zhaoying wheat in the fields. A toasting song performed at festivals and when welcoming guests. YI TRIBE 15 Seaweed Song Singers: Yi tribe members from Nanjian Yi 11 Nanjian Da Ge, a dancing song Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Singers: Yi tribe members from Nanjian Yi Prefecture, Yunnan Province Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Lyrical outline: The Seaweed Song is Prefecture, Yunnan Province a type of love song performed by young Lyrics: Let’s sing for fun, one family after men and women on farms, mountains and another. We will get drunk wherever there lakes. It is said that the ancestors of the is alcohol. We will sleep wherever there Yi people sang songs while fishing and are beds. picking seaweed on their boats.

12 Treat Our Guests to Drinks 16 Song of Compliments Singers: Yi tribe members from Nanjian Yi Singers: Yi tribe members from Nanjian Yi Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Autonomous County, Dali Bai , Yunnan Province Prefecture, Yunnan Province Lyrics: Guests and friends from afar, it’s Lyrics: Your curved eyebrows are like not easy for us to get together. It’s our crescents. Your lips are red like Guan Yin’s. tradition to treat our guests to delicious A Guan Yin statue is made of mud, but drinks first. We have plenty of delicious girl, you are a born beauty. How can you drinks for friends and guests. Please make be so pretty? Would you mind introducing yourselves at home! yourself?

13 A Bridal Song (Yi Tribe) 17 Da Ge Song Singers: Yi tribe members from Nanjian Yi Singers: Yi tribe members from Nanjian Yi Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province Prefecture, Yunnan Province Lyrical outline: This song is about a girl Lyrical outline: A second variation of Da who is going to get married. Ge song.

14 Perform Da Ge until Dawn Singers: Yi tribe members from Nanjian Yi Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province Lyrical outline: A variation of Da Ge song. 18 A Happy Song (Yi Tribe) 21 Love Song of the Yi Singers: Yi tribe members from Nanjian Yi Singers: Yi tribe members from Nanjian Yi Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province Prefecture, Yunnan Province Lyrics: I really do miss you. If you miss me Lyrics: Bamboo consists of twelve as well, why don’t you come to visit me? If sections, and I miss you twelve times more you love me, why don’t you come to see than that. It’s fun to play with makeup and me? I walked down this road because I perfume, but I’m too shy to let you know miss you; I climbed this mountain because how I feel. you love me. I miss you so dearly and deeply. 22 Picking Flowers Singers: Yi tribe members from Nanjian Yi 19 Missing a Lover (Yi Tribe Female Solo) Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Singers: Yi tribe members from Nanjian Yi Prefecture, Yunnan Province Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Lyrics: The sweet fragrance of devilwoods Prefecture, Yunnan Province is in the air. A beautiful girl wears devilwood Lyrics: Girl, go to a good place and stay flowers on her waist. There are devilwood there. I will pave roads on a mountain to trees in her yard, and the boy next door lead your way and build bridges to help can smell them. He can pick as many you cross rivers. I will tear down mountains devilwood flowers as he wants in her yard. and crack down the ground. 23 Perform Da Ge until Mountains Move 20 A Love Song Duet (Yi Tribe) Singers: Yi tribe members from Nanjian Yi Singers: Yi tribe members from Nanjian Yi Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province Prefecture, Yunnan Province Lyrical outline: A third variation of Da Ge Lyrics: I really do miss you. I miss you so song. much that I can’t wait to be with you. I love you so much that I can’t wait to build a life with you. The thought of you makes me cry, and my food is soaked in my tears. I don’t cry when I miss my parents, but the thought of you brings tears. 24 Missing a Lover (Yi Tribe Male Chorus) Singers: Yi tribe members from Nanjian Yi Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province Lyrics: You love to have fun and I love to laugh, and we are perfect for each other. There is not enough time for us to be together.

25 Four Songs about Alcohol Singers: Yi tribe members from Nanjian Yi Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province Lyrical outline: The Yi have a rich and long culture of alcohol brewing and consumption. The Four Songs about Alcohol not only show their hospitality and passion, but their unwavering pursuit of better lives. Qiang Yi FOLK SONGS OF THE YI AND QIANG TRIBES IN SICHUAN & YUNNAN FOLK MUSIC OF CHINA, VOL. 7

This album features songs from the Qiang and the Yi tribes from the mountainous regions of Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in southwestern China. The album includes lively short dance songs in duple metre and long melodious labour or love songs that employ a free rhythm.

QIANG 13 A Bridal Song (Yi Tribe) 2:22 1 Qi La Wa Ge Er, a Shalang song 1:34 14 Perform Da Ge until Dawn 1:00 2 Ni Sa, a ritual song 1:53 15 Seaweed Song 1:22 3 Ge Bu Ze Ni Ruo Yi Mo, a labour song 2:38 16 Song of Compliments 1:05 4 Suo Ya La Bai Ma, a Shalang song 1:44 17 Da Ge Song 1:09 5 Ha Zhu La Yi, a harvest song 1:33 18 A Happy Song (Yi Tribe) 2:13 6 Tao Gan Tao, a celebration song 1:32 19 Missing a Lover (Yi Tribe Female Solo) 2:55 7 A Wine Song (Qiang Tribe) 1:57 20 A Love Song Duet (Yi Tribe) 2:31 8 Ji Si Ke Ni Ruo Yi Mo, a Shalang song 1:15 21 Love Song of the Yi 1:04 9 Xia Mi, an animal grazing song 2:08 22 Picking Flowers 2:42 10 O La Yi You, a toasting song 1:57 23 Perform Da Ge until Mountains Move 1:33 24 Missing a Lover (Yi Tribe Male Chorus) 0:50 YI 25 Four Songs about Alcohol 2:00 11 Nanjian Da Ge, a dancing song 2:02 12 Treat Our Guests to Drinks 1:00 TOTAL PLAYING TIME: 43:57

Liang Rong – Vocals 1 , 3 , 8 • Li Li – Vocals 1 , 3 , 8 • Wang Qin – Vocals 1 , 3 , 8 • Wang Ju – Vocals 1 , 3 , 8 Zhang Rong – Vocals 1 , 3 , 8 • Liu Chunqing – Vocals 1 , 3 , 8 • Li Cuiping – Vocals 1 , 3 , 8 Liu Dehuan – Vocals 1 , 3 , 8 • Suo Jimei – Vocals 2 , 5 • Shang Meta – Vocals 2 , 5 • Wang Anlian – Vocals 4 , 7 , 9 Luo Wenbai – Vocals 6 , 10 • Yang Hua – Vocals 6 , 10 • Gou Yonglin – Vocals 6 , 10 • Bai Yongyue – Vocals 6 , 10 Chen Zhaoying – Vocals 6 , 10 • Tribe members of the Nanjian Yi Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province – Vocals 11 – 25 .

Recording Dates: July 2011 1 – 10 ; May 2010 11 – 25 Recording Location: Xinbeichuan County, , Sichuan Province 1 – 10 ; , Yunnan Province 11 – 25 Producer and Publisher: 侯都都 (Hou Dudu), Kuke Music, Music Publishing House & Shanghai Literature and Art Audio-Visual Electronic Publishing House Recording Engineer: 李朝 (Li Zhao); Cover photo: Jemma Rogers

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