Based on the collection of ethnic minority songs, a group of 8 of us came to Yandong Town! Everything here, from transportation, folk customs, to local education, and Dong songs, without exception, shocked my soul!
1. The transportation is not very convenient! You have to take the train to Congjiang County first, and then drive nearly an hour on the winding mountain road to reach Yandong Town! Along the road, the traces of landslides come into view from time to time. The driving skills of the local people are also top-notch, and those who don't get motion sickness are strong!
2. We were flattered by the enthusiasm and simplicity of the local Dong people! We live in the home of Teacher Wu, a world-class intangible inheritor of Dong folk songs. Teacher Wu took us to attend the "Ethnic Music in Campus" class, visited the Tongguan Dong Ecological Museum, and even prepared a performance of Dong folk songs for us. ! For dinner, he personally grilled carp for us. It is said to be the highest treatment for guests, and most people cannot enjoy it! I said I will eat finger food tomorrow night! What I didn't expect was that the world-class inheritor would be so humble and simple, without any exaggeration as expected. He patiently answered our idiotic questions and was still being interviewed by us until after 11 o'clock in the night!
3. The inheritance of Dong folk songs requires everyone’s efforts! Under the leadership of Teacher Wu, we approached the local Tongguan Primary School, which is composed of a kindergarten and a primary school. Those who live far away from home will live in the school, but the cost of board and lodging is borne by the government! It is worth mentioning that they will have Dong language classes to consolidate their ethnic language, but their Dong songs have not received widespread social and government attention! In order to pass on the music, Teacher Wu has volunteered to teach Dong folk songs in schools for more than 20 years, with 20 classes a week! In the conversation with Teacher Wu, we can feel his desolation and loneliness. There is no successor who is willing to continue, and he feels a little helpless and sad about the development of Dong Dage!
4. The form and content of Dong songs refresh our view of music! Usually they work in the farmland and sing folk songs. They don't set aside time to rehearse, and they don't have a conductor. But during the performance, they will form an excellent tacit understanding and move forward with ease in the multi-part music. , and this is what we professional music scholars are most afraid of encountering, fear of being out of tune, fear of inconsistent sound, etc., which may even affect singing! The presentation of music in their lives made us fall in love with music again. Because we dare not sing in terms of voice, breath, enunciation, etc., it is ridiculous to think about it. We have long forgotten what the original intention of music is, which is to serve the society rather than to specialize in music. Musical performance, rather than a display of musical skills, is to make our lives better, nothing more! So singing is a happy thing!
The collection of music is very tiring, and it basically doesn’t end until after 11 o’clock every day, especially in mountainous areas, where there is no air conditioning or hot water, and you have to travel across mountains and ridges in order to find uncontaminated music! I have a lot of feelings these past few days, and I must make a detailed arrangement when it is over! I will also miss this journey of collecting folk songs!