Waist Drum dancing in Northern Shaanxi Province

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The changgu (long drum), also known as the huagu (flower drum), is a variation of the ancient xiyaogu(narrow waist drum). It is popular in Yao ethnic areas, including Guangxi and Guangdong. This type of drum has a long, narrow body made out of hardwood, approximately 80 to 1 10 centimeters in length,with hide drumheads on each end. The body is shaped like two inverted bells joined in the middle, with a narrow waist and flaring ends, creating two resonating chambers. The body is lacquered and decorated with distinctive folk patterns such as the sun, moon, and clouds. The long drum serves as both an impor-tant prop and the primary instrument of the Long Drum dance of the Yao people of Zhuang Autonomous Region. Long Drum dancing is a highly distinctive folk art that was originally performed only at ritual ceremonies. Today, it has become a common form of entertainment at various festivals and holidays. It is performed by two or four people. Each dancer holds a drum in the right hand and hits it with the left hand,simultaneously drumming and dancing. The drum may also be hung diagonally across the body with a rope hung from the shoulder, and played with both hands. Long Drum dancing is often also accompanied by the suona, gongs, cymbals, and small drums.

Chinese Waist Drum dancing was already widespread by the Sui-Tang period (5 81-907 AD), and is often depicted in murals from that time. Today, it has become a popular folk entertainment throughout areas inhabited primarily by the people of the Han ethnic group. This dance form is known by various names according to regional style, including Waist Drum, Flower Drum and Fengyang Flower Drum dancing. The yaogu (waist drum) is cylindrical in shape, wider in the middle and with tapering ends. It is made out of wood painted with red or black lacquer, with both ends covered with hide drumheads. A strap is threaded through two iron rings attached to the body of the drum. The drum is suspended by the strap in front of the waist, and played with drumsticks held in both hands. A wide variety of drumming techniques are used in combination with different dance moves. Male performers, often costumed as warriors, drum with enthusiastic abandon, while the female performers dance along full of grace and beauty. Some perfor-mances include depictions of simple stories. The waist drum is instrumental in coordinating music and movement, hence the name Waist Drum dance. Waist Drum dance groups that perform at festivals and holidays may be composed of several hundred people, creating a spectacular sea of dancing and drumming that shakes the heavens.