Raising lively voices for a dying singing style
0 
Grand songs typically have one of four meanings. The "narrative style" tells of everyday happenings and conversations. The "lyrical style" is reserved for love songs. The "moral style" deals with questions of right and wrong. And the "vocal style" focuses more on the beauty of the melodies than on meaning.
"We Dong will naturally burst into song while doing house chores and working in the fields," Yang says.
"If someone starts to sing, people working nearby will soon join in."
Yang says the grand songs play an important role in passing down culture. Because the Dong don't have a written language, they use singing to preserve their oral history.
Consequently, those who are good vocalists are respected as the brightest and most sensible people.
"Singing together isn't just a form of entertainment, but also a means of educating and uniting the Dong," says Ou Ruifan, an official from the autonomous county's culture bureau.
"It nurtures a sense of belonging and serves as a culture symbol for us."
But Ou explains the songs are in danger of being lost forever. Most of the best vocalists today are in their 30s and 40s. As the younger generation seeks jobs outside of the village, its members rarely find time to learn these traditional tunes.
Ou was once a teacher of Dong culture and language, and continues striving to preserve the ethnic group's traditions.
Two years ago, grand songs and dances collected from Dong villages began appearing in local schools' curriculums.
"The grand songs express the life philosophy and knowledge of the Dong people," Ou says.
"They are filled with passion and sincerity about nature and life. We would love to share them with more people."
Comments