Leadership Insights | Illustrated Lectures:Grand Song of Dong Ethnic Group: Acappella of Nature

The grand song of the Dong ethnic group is a unique a polyphonic folk choral art. In 2009, it was included in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Originating in the areas inhabited by the Dong people at the junction of Guizhou, Guangxi, and Hunan provinces, this choral tradition is mainly passed down from generation to generation in natural villages. As a core symbol of Dong culture, its history can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods (770-221 BC).

The grand song of the Dong ethnic group is renowned for its multi-part natural harmonies, breaking the misconception that traditional Chinese music is mainly monophonic. There is no conductor or instrumental accompaniment in performances; instead, singers coordinate complex voices spontaneously by imitating natural sounds such as chirping insects, singing birds, and murmuring streams, thus creating an “acappella of nature.”

Its transmission relies on oral teaching and heartfelt instruction, organized by village song troupes, with singing masters (called “Sangga”) as the core inheritors. In 2022, Guizhou Province initiated special legislation for its protection, exploring innovative ways to integrate traditional art with modern life. As a “living fossil of diverse human cultures,” the grand song of the Dong ethnic group is continuing its millennia-old cultural lineage through various efforts.

As a world intangible cultural heritage, the grand song of the Dong ethnic group has moved from Dong villages to the global stage, appearing in numerous artistic performances and international exchange events, thereby allowing more people to appreciate its unique charm.

To ensure the perpetual inheritance of living local cultures, it is essential to deeply explore intangible cultural heritage such as folk arts, traditional opera, craft skills, ethnic costumes, and folk activities. We need to integrate protection and inheritance with development and utilization, combine China’s outstanding heritage of agricultural civilization with elements of modern civilization, endowing them with new contemporary significance. This will allow the fine traditional Chinese culture to thrive forever and enable the long-standing agricultural civilization of our country to showcase its charm and appeal in the new era.

監製:蔚力

策劃:丁素雲

文案:楊俊康