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Arts & Communication Hybrid music and ethnicity in Quangang Beiguan

Lizhi, there are three generations of artists devoting to the In addition to Jianghuai music, as mentioned above,
cause of Beiguan, and Zhuang Lizhi himself has his own Liu Yonglai and Zhuang Chao also acquired skills in daqu
students who have trained their apprentices. The specific of Peking Opera when they were doing business away
lineage is as follows: from home and spread it back to Quanzhou. Zhuang
Liu Yonglai, Zhuang Chao (1) — Hong Bo, Zhuang Lizhi once visited Fuzhou Fuxing Opera Troupe together
Jincai, Zhuang Diexia etc. (2) — Zhuang Youzhen, Zhuang with his Beiguan artist friends to learn how to sing opera.
Youchao, Zhuang Shuangxi etc. (3) — Zhuang Lizhi, Consequently, they had opportunities to perform Beiguan
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Zhuang Zhisheng, Zhuang Houshui, Zhuang Yanju etc. and other forms of theatre music in different places . In
(4) — Zhuang Santang, Zhuang Yalong, Zhuang Yachun, addition to playing Beiguan in folk events such as weddings
Zhuang Zhiding etc. (5) — Zhuang Shuijian etc. (6) . and funerals, Miaohui (temple fairs), Zhuangge, and Nao
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Dongfang (doing a lot of hazing to the newlywed on the
Although Liu Yonglai and Zhuang Chao were among the night of their marriage), many Beiguan bands can also sing
first to introduce Beiguan to Quanzhou, Liu Yonglai (1852– Peking Opera. It is said that the large number of Beiguan
1926) stood out as he was more famous and recognized as ensembles leads to fierce competition and thus Beiguan
the Master of Beiguan. His deeds were widely acclaimed. bands that can sing Peking Opera are more popular. The
Liu, whose achievements are well documented in The inherited Peking Opera repertoire includes “Empty Fort
Genealogy of the Liu Family of Fengcheng, was a native of Strategy,” “A Fisherman’s Struggle,” and “Yang Silang Visits
Fengwei. Fengwei Town is located in the middle area of His Mother .” It can be seen that Peking Opera has also had
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Quangang where Puxian dialect and Minnan dialect both a considerable impact on Beiguan. Later, some Cantonese
are the daily languages. Leaning against the mountain on music was introduced to Quangang. Some of the Cantonese
one side and surrounded by the sea on three sides, the town elements were adopted and became the pu of Beiguan.
is commonly known as the Fengwei Peninsula. It is famous th
as a fisherman town in southern Fujian. Taking advantage By the first half of the 20 century, Beiguan had received
of the prosperous maritime trade, Fengwei makes possible wide currency in Quangang. Beiguan bands had been an
frequent exchanges with Jiangsu and Zhejiang, making active participant in various local folk events, ceremonies
itself the main birthplace or base of Beiguan. and celebrations, weddings, funerals, etc. Beiguan Training
Schools were set up in many places. However, due to the
Records tell that in the early Guangxu period of the Qing deterioration of social conditions, Beiguan was considered
Dynasty, Liu Yonglai accompanied his father to ship salt to endangered before the reform and opening up. After
Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and elsewhere for commercial the reform and opening up, a bunch of people with lofty
purposes, while learning local music. Liu was proficient ideals brought new life to Beiguan. Their efforts have
in many musical instruments, particularly changsheng been supported by the government, with the promotion
(Vvertical pipe”), yangqin (“hammered dulcimer”), and of Beiguan in schools and textbooks since 2005. In April
dongxiao (“vertical bamboo flute”). Thanks to the exquisite 2006, the Quangang District Beiguan Music Association
skills he demonstrated, not only was he well-known in was established. Later in August, the semi-professional
Quanzhou, but he also won fame in Shanghai, Zhejiang Quangang District Beiguan Orchestra was founded,
and other places. Not only was Liu loved by the masses and with the inception of the Journal of Quangang Beiguan.
thus recruited to teach related courses and train students, Thereafter, new works are composed while international
but in the 8 year of the Guangxu period (1882), he was communications are actively enabled.
th
also favored by the government and given the title of Yi
Sheng, styled as Wuting (literally meaning “dancing on The year 2006 also witnessed Beiguan being listed among
the court”). Then he was assigned to the then Confucius representative protection projects inscribed in the National
Institute: He was responsible for parading and playing List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of China. Beiguan has
music during the annual event, “Seeing off Confucius,” hence received more and more attention, with pieces and
in Quanzhou. Finally, he was ordained by the Qing books compiled and printed as well as clubs and associations
government as the Master of Beiguan . initiated. Up till now, more than 80 ensembles can play
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Beiguan, with more than 1000 members. These ensembles
4. See “The Inheritance and Innovation of Quangang Beiguan”
by Gu Chuan. Quangang Beiguan Music. Chinese Literature 6. From “Beiguan Artists and Ensembles” by Gu Chuan.
and History Press, 2002, pp. 1-2. Quangang Beiguan Music. Chinese Literature and History
5. See “Liu Zongxun and Liu Yonglai: The Master of Beiguan,” Press, 2002, p. 80.
China Beiguan (first issue), 2015, vol.1, pp. 66-67; also “Beiguan 7. See “The Inheritance and Innovation of Quangang Beiguan”
Artists and Ensembles” by Gu Chuan. Quangang Beiguan by Gu Chuan. Quangang Beiguan Music. Chinese Literature
Music. Chinese Literature and History Press, 2002, pp. 75-76. and History Press, 2002, p. 11.

Volume 1 Issue 1 (2023) 3 https://doi.org/10.36922/ac.419