The Xixia people in the Central Plains love poetry and music. Officials of the Song Dynasty saw in Xixia that "as long as there is well water to drink, one can sing Liu Yong's lyrics." There are many scenes reflecting the music culture of Xixia in the murals and rock paintings of the Xixia Grottoes. Today, when we embark on a journey westward and come to Dunhuang, Gansu Province, a treasure of ancient culture, we will find that among the 77 Xixia caves in Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, 11 caves are painted with music and 17 are painted with music. mural.
There are two Ciletu caves in Anxi Xixia Cave, including two Ciletu murals. These are the vivid history of Xixia music culture and musical instruments, and the artistic embodiment of the real-life music of the Dangxiang Qiang people.
The Dangxiang Qiang of Xixia are a nation that is good at singing and dancing, and has a tradition of loving music. The music of Xixia is influenced and restricted by its national character, traditional concepts, customs and culture. Music itself has been integrated into all aspects of the war life, folk life, and religious life of the Dangxiang Qiang people, and has become one of the important means for the Dangxiang Qiang people to express their thoughts, feelings, and unify their fighting spirit.
Li Yuanhao always carries "Field Song" with him. Ren Zhong, a member of the Xixia royal family, and Zhao Han, a survivor of Xixia, were both good singers. In the works of Xixia
The early folk music of the Qiang people, who were good at singing and dancing, was simple, rough and powerful, and the instruments were relatively simple. For a long time, only the pipa, flute, and flute were used. During the Tang and Song Dynasties, the music of the Dangxiang Qiang people began to be influenced by the music of the Central Plains. As the Dangxiang Qiang people sang: "One heart learns from Yao and Shun, one heart governs the people, and one heart dances with the Tang Dynasty." Loyalty is the most precious thing. People are elite and trustworthy. "After Li Yuanhao founded the country, Xixia music developed greatly.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Xixia had music and dance institutions to manage music affairs, and there were professional court musicians, artists, and dancers for Xixia At this time, the music of Xixia has been relatively complete, including eight pieces of music and dance, Zhezhi, Daqu, music performances and singing, palace music theory, more than 70 kinds of musical instruments, band arrangement and arrangement, opera music, Buddhist music, Taoist music, etc. Divine music, etc.
Li Yuanhao ordered that "the five tones of music should be combined into one". This was the first music reform in Xixia. By the time of Renxiao, Xixia music began to absorb again. It has absorbed the nutrition of the music of Tubo, Uighur, Liao, Jin and other countries and nationalities, enriched its form and content, and formed its own unique style.
According to historical records: "In May of the sixth year of Yuanfeng, 42 people from Mizhi Temple were gathered to play in Chongzheng Hall. All the music played was also pleasant. "This shows that Xixia music was not only widely spread in China, but also spread to the Central Plains and other regions through officials or Silk Road merchants, envoys and wars, and affected surrounding countries.
In addition, Xixia music has a profound impact on the development of Yuan music It also has a certain influence. In addition to court music, Xixia music also has birthday music, such as "At the beginning of the fourth year of Yuan Dynasty, I have been accompanied by wine all my life, and I will never tire of it"; music for sacrifices, such as "Deming Ying" for the cremation of Xixia people. "Coffin", "As the coffin is being moved, various musical instruments are playing together."