Qiang salang, as the collective name for most of the Qiang songs and dances, originates from the blending and complementation of Qiang culture in the development process. Therefore, in order to explain the artistic characteristics of Qiang Salang, we must analyze them one by one from their internal classifications. Generally speaking, the Qiang Salang is rough and unrestrained, but yet gentle and refined. The fundamental characteristics of their culture are that singing and dancing are indistinguishable (even if digital music is used). The characteristics are as follows:

The dance obviously retains the rough and simple style of the original music and dance, and most of it is performed in folk religious sacrificial activities. Dancers can not only please the ancestors and gods through dance, but also entertain themselves, accompanied by percussion instruments, deepening people's worship and mystery of gods.

Songs accompanied by dance steps. There is no direct connection between the performance of dance movements and the content of lyrics. Most dancers use songs to promote the dance cycle.

The folk movements of the Qiang people include flexion and extension, downward trembling of the knees, dancing on the same side, opening and closing of the hips, stepping on the fork of the legs, twisting and tilting left and right. The pace combination is from left to right. The characteristics of the rhythm of dance music are consistent with the emotional expression of the dancers. The ending sentence falls, the man leads the woman and follows the same phrase, the movements are completely repeated, and the ups and downs of the rhythm are combined and cleverly coordinated.

Origin and form

According to the origin and form, Qiang Salang is divided into Salang, Kasdawen and Renmu in the northern dialect area. Na Shuwa, as well as Xiburuo, Moennasha and other types in the southern dialect area.

Function and social significance

According to the function and social significance, Qiang salang is divided into happy event salang and worried event salang. The happy event salang is widely used for self-entertainment, festival celebrations, cultural exchanges, daily fitness, etc. The sad event salang appears in sacrifices, funerals and other occasions, and is mainly used to entertain gods and ghosts. The difference between the songs of Happy Salang and Worried Salang is very obvious, and the difference in dance movements mainly lies in the fast and slow rhythm.

Forms of development and change

According to the form of development and change, Qiang Salang can be divided into two types: original ecology and standardization. The original ecological Qiang Salang follows the ancient customs of singing and dancing by oneself regardless of the household. It is an important means of rest, entertainment, sacrifice and etiquette in the lives of the Qiang people. The standardized Qiang Salang uses digital music accompaniment, and each song is fixed There are combinations of dance moves that have been compiled and created by the artist, and the songs and dances are usually unrelated.