A taste of rural culture in Huxian county
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One of my friends tells me that in his village, no one knows these local songs any more and so the tradition has died out there. I find this sad, and am keeping my fingers crossed that the younger people of North Wu village learn the instruments and songs, to keep this special local music alive.
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A female Huxian singer is singing Qinqiang Opera. Photo: Deborah Howard |
The musicians insist that I take a turn at singing. Oh dear, this is NOT good. My singing is akin to the sound of a dying cat, but they will not listen to my protests and so I am thrust into the middle of the courtyard and give my a capella version of Waltzing Matilda! I sing quickly, trying to spare musical ears as much torment as possible. Being charming people, they listen politely, but I think I see a look of relief on their faces as I slink away from the attention. I am glad that they quickly resume their own playing. To recover from my embarrassment, I slip inside the house to look at Li's paintings.
The works are traditional, depicting rural scenes, weddings and local customs. They are bright and colorful, and I have quite a large collection already. Some of Li's paintings have been exhibited in France and around China. Many of my friends have taken them back to their homelands as treasured mementos of their time in China. I have given wedding paintings to my family members when they tie the knot. Today I want to buy a painting for a friend who is getting married, so I look through the offerings and finally find one I think will be just right. My friends join me and we discuss which paintings we want. They are lovely to take back home as gifts – easy to pack, light, transportable and quintessentially Chinese.
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The sunset in the beautiful countryside. Photo: Deborah Howard |
It is getting late, and the musicians are starting to pack up. We too gather our belongings and treasured paintings. Li invites me to come back soon, and I promise to visit again, to stay with them for a couple of days and sleep on the traditional heated bed called a kang.
We make our way back to the main road and wave down a bus that is heading back to the city. As we drive back, the memories of the day stay with me, and I see farmland, not factories; hear music, not car horns.
Painter and musician: Li Zhoucheng (李周成)
Tel: 029-84938637
Singer: Yan Chunling (闫春玲)
Address: North Wu village in Dawang town, Huxian county of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province
陕西省西安市户县大王镇梧北村
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