Performance Practices and Traditional Values in Tianyang Guimei Folk Songs

Abstract

This study explores the performance practices and traditional values embedded in the Tianyang Guimei folk songs of the Zhuang people in Tianyang County, Baise City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Utilizing an ethnographic approach, the research investigates the evolution of performance techniques, the cultural significance of the songs, and the impact of modernization on their preservation and transmission. The study includes participant observation and semi-structured interviews with five key artists involved in the practice and transmission of these folk songs. The findings reveal that the Tianyang Guimei folk songs are rich in vocal techniques, call-and-response structures, and communal participation, which reinforce social cohesion within the community. The songs express core values such as respect for elders, communal bonds, reverence for nature, and moral education. However, the study also identifies challenges to the continuation of these traditions, particularly due to migration, technological changes, and the shifting social structure. Despite these challenges, efforts by the community and local artists to preserve and promote these folk songs through digital platforms and intergenerational teaching offer hope for their future survival. This research highlights the cultural importance of these folk songs and provides recommendations for their protection and revitalization.