By Yuling Chen, EDITOR

A minority village called “Lujiagang” in Southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality is famous for its local musical instrument of Hanhao.

The Chinese musical instrument enjoys great popularity among Tujia-Miao people. The team’s Hanhao, Suona and percussion instruments are all made by local craftsmen. 

Chongqing villagers made Suonas for performance. (Photo by He Yi)

Chongqing has a century-old folk band playing Chinese musical instruments

The village has a folk band with a history of more than 100 years. The team consists of two Hanhao players, six Suona, a kind of Chinese playing music instrument players, as well as performers of drums, cymbals, and Maluozi, another Chinese musical instrument.

As Leader Lu Ying put it, Hanhao has a low and vigorous sound. It is also known as Guoshanhao, Dahao and Manghao. Moreover, it boasts a wonderful sound transmission effect. Hanhao matches the melodious tune of Suona and the sprightly rhythm of percussion instruments. 

A band member is practicing Hanhao. (Photo by He Yi)

The tone consists of such types as “Sipingtou”, “Yingsansheng” and “Shiersheng”. It varies from scenes, including celebration, worship ceremony and redeeming a wish. Different tone types create various atmospheres.

As the team will be invited to perform in Guizhou Province, Hunan Province, and adjacent districts and counties in Chongqing each year, its performance has developed a unique style. Frequent invitations show the band's popularity in tje Chongqing area.

In addition, the band is preparing for the application of the homemade Hanhao for the municipal intangible cultural heritage project.

Chongqing Hanhao performance (Photo by He Yi)

Source: CQNEWS

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