Identity and Musical Culture Construction of Xianning People in Hubei Province
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Abstract
In recent years, the study of ethnomusicology has increasingly focused on the nuanced and localized musical cultures within China. Xianning, a city in the southeast of Hubei Province, presents a unique case with its rich and diverse folk music traditions. Despite the city's rich heritage, there remains a notable gap in comprehensive ethnomusicological research that addresses how dialectical and cultural influences have shaped the musical identity of Xianning’s people.
Xianning is composed of Xian’an District, Jiayu County, Tongcheng County, Chongyang County, Tongshan County, and Chibi City. This area serves as the southern gate of Hubei Province and is historically significant due to its strategic location bordering Hunan, Jiangxi, and other regions. The city’s diverse dialects, described as “three miles of different tone, ten miles of different cavity,” reflect the cultural and historical confluence of Mandarin, Jiangxi, and Hunan dialects dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. The primary focus of this research is Xianning, characterized by its mountainous terrain and extensive water systems, which have historically isolated its musical culture, leading to its preservation in a relatively unaltered form. The author, a native of Xianning, has been immersed in this rich cultural environment from a young age, experiencing firsthand the vibrant folk songs and dances that mark local festivals and daily life. This personal connection and extensive background in Xianning’s folk traditions provide a unique perspective and depth to the study.
The objective of this study is to explore the ethnographical and musical context of the Xianning people in Hubei Province, to investigate the musical and cultural dimensions of the creation identity process of Xianning people in Hubei, and to provide a systematic analysis of Xianning’s folk music instruments and their role in shaping the region’s musical identity. This research paper presents an in-depth examination of Xianning’s folk music traditions, aiming to address the existing research gap and contribute to the academic understanding of this region’s unique cultural heritage. The structure and content of this article will cover the study's objectives, methodology, results, and implications, highlighting the significance of preserving and promoting Xianning’s folk music in the face of modernization and globalization.
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