Tonghai Women’s Dongjing: Living fossil of Chinese music

In Tonghai County of Yuxi City, a beautiful piece of music has been passed on over the years. It is the Tonghai Women’s Dongjing which is called a living fossil of Chinese music.

Tonghai Dongjing Ancient music has a long history which started in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). There were once over 100 pieces and 47 pieces are now completely preserved.

In the 1940’s, in order to pursue the Dongjing ancient music, which was holy in their minds, 18 young girls vowed never to marry. From then on, they have been accompanied by flutes and cymbals and formed the first women’s Dongjing music association “Miaoshanxue”. 

In 1981, Yunnan Provincial Culture Bureau assembled 11  ladies who were still alive and worked for 18 days recording 43 Dongjing tunes, which was the prelude of protecting and passing on the Dongjing music in the whole province .

Now, the sound of the flute and clanging cymbals can be heard in the Tonghai Ancient Music Hall each Thursday, practice time in  Tonghai County “Miaoshanxue” Women’s Dongjing Moonlight Ancient Music Association. The Music Association is comprised of an all-female group of folk music lovers.

Li Guiying is the Chairman of “Miaoshanxue” Women’s Dongjing Moonlight Ancient Music Association and she is also one of the two successors. “When I was young, I always liked to play in the temple fair of the village and listened to Dongjing music again and again. I fell in love with it after listening repeatedly,” said Li Guiying.

With the efforts of Li Guiying and Lilian, the single form of Dongjing talk play has today become richer and fuller by incorporating classical musical and musical etiquette with the host and commentary.

In 2016, “Miaoshanxue” women’s Dongjing Moonlight Ancient Music Association gave a total of 106 performances. Beginning from this April, the Association is providing free Dongjing music teaching and conducting a series of activities in the communities to introduce  the culture essence to more people and allow more people to get to know and appreciate Dongjing music.

Li Guiying firmly believes that the reach of “Miaoshanxue” women’s Dongjing will spread  further and further.

Tonghai Womens Dongjing: Living fossil of Chinese music

In Tonghai County of Yuxi City, a beautiful piece of music has been passed on over the years. It is the Tonghai Womens Dongjing which is called a living fossil of Chinese music. Tonghai Dongjing Ancient music has a long history which started in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). There were once over 100 pieces and 47 pieces are now completely preserved. In the 1940s, in order to pursue the Dongjing ancient music, which was holy in their minds, 18 young girls vowed never to marry. From then on, they have been accompanied by flutes and cymbals and formed the first womens Dongjing music association Miaoshanxue. In 1981, Yunnan Provincial Culture Bureau assembled 11 ladies who were still alive and worked for 18 days recording 43 Dongjing tunes, which was the prelude of protecting and passing on the Dongjing music in the whole province . Now, the sound of the flute and clanging cymbals can be heard in the Tonghai Ancient Music Hall each Thursday, practice time in Tonghai County Miaoshanxue Womens Dongjing Moonlight Ancient Music Association. The Music Association is comprised of an all-female group of folk music lovers. Li Guiying is the Chairman of Miaoshanxue Womens Dongjing Moonlight Ancient Music Association and she is also one of the two successors. When I was young, I always liked to play in the temple fair of the village and listened to Dongjing music again and again. I fell in love with it after listening repeatedly, said Li Guiying. With the efforts of Li Guiying and Lilian, the single form of Dongjing talk play has today become richer and fuller by incorporating classical musical and musical etiquette with the host and commentary. In 2016, Miaoshanxue womens Dongjing Moonlight Ancient Music Association gave a total of 106 performances. Beginning from this April, the Association is providing free Dongjing music teaching and conducting a series of activities in the communities to introduce the culture essence to more people and allow more people to get to know and appreciate Dongjing music. Li Guiying firmly believes that the reach of Miaoshanxue womens Dongjing will spread further and further.