Leadership Insights | Illustrated Lectures:Changshan War Drum: Cheering Up the Inheritance of Folk Culture

The Changshan war drum a traditional folk art form hailing from Zhengding County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province. It was included in the second batch of the national intangible cultural heritage in 2008. Its history dates back to the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), deriving its name from “Changshan,” the ancient appellation of Zhengding. As an artistic crystallization of the valiant martial culture of the Yan and Zhao regions, it had already developed a complete performance system by the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Centered around the war drum, this art form incorporates brass instruments such as large cymbals and gongs. During performances, drummers don costumes resembling ancient warriors, executing over 10 formations like “Datianyou”(literally, “Adding Oil Vigorously”) and “Shimian Maifu”(literally, “Ambush from All Sides”). These formations, paired with powerful, dynamic choreography, vividly simulate ancient battlefield scenes. The drumbeats are rich and varied, ranging from the thunderous grandeur of a mighty army to the intricate subtleties of tactical maneuvering, embodying the bold and heroic spirit of northern Chinese drum music.

As a vital component of folk festive celebrations, the Changshan war drum is performed on important occasions such as temple fairs, traditionalfestivals, and harvest celebrations, with social functions like praying for blessings, warding off evil, and fostering community cohesion. Among the over 100 existing drum troupes, the Longteng Drum Troupe stands as the most representative. Its eighth-generation inheritor, Zuo Jianhua, has innovatively choreographed works such asThe Magnificent Rhyme of Drums, which have garnered numerous national awards. Local efforts to strengthen its living inheritance include introducing it into school curricula and establishing heritage centers, ensuring that this battlefield legacy, passed down for over seven centuries, continues to resound in the new era.

The sound of the Changshan war drum has never ceased echoing through the old streets of Zhengding. It narrates countless stirring tales of past heroes and inspires new legends of the present, seamlessly interweaving modern vibrancy with ancient civilization. Having undergone the vicissitudes of time, it now basks in a renewed vitality. To build a cultural hub for intangible heritage protection and inheritance in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, it is imperative to safeguard, develop, and innovate this traditional art form, ensuring that the long silk ribbons of the Changshan war drum remain forever brilliantlike burning flames.

To perpetuate living rural culture, it is essential to deeply explore intangible cultural heritage, including folk arts, traditional operas, quyi(narrative and singing arts), handicrafts, ethnic costumes, and folk customs.

監製:蔚力

策劃:丁素雲

文案:楊俊康