Dance with Wooden Drums": History of formation and art historical analysis (Miao ethnic group, South China)

The article provides an interdisciplinary analysis of the "Dance with Wooden Drums" (木鼓舞) of the Miao people (苗族), which is a unique form of traditional art that combines elements of ritual practice, artistic expression and cultural identity. The goal of this study was to identify the cultural, historical and art historical significance of the "Dance with Wooden Drums" of the Miao ethnic group by analyzing artistic and stylistic features. The novelty of this research lies in its identification of the art historical elements of the performance. Adopting a comprehensive scientific approach to the unique material of the "Dance with Wooden Drums", this study develops a model for analyzing the morphological and stylistic features of movement, as well as the semiotic and semantic structures within the artistic space. It further elucidates cultural and artistic features within the performance and applies these insights to creative and educational dance contexts. For the first time in the 21st century, this dance was studied and analyzed through observation in its natural setting. The field expedition's findings were classified and systematized according to three key criteria: (a) geography, considering the local history of Taijiani County (Fanpai Village) and the regional characteristics of ethnic groups in Southwest China; (b) thematic connections, identifying various types and sub-types including mythological rites, ritual performance methods, and socio-cultural and artistic customs; and (c) formal content, analyzing compositional features such as image integrity, spatial-temporal rhythm, organization of body language, canonical sequences of actions and permissible variations, and expressive means (e.g., plasticity, rhythm, and dynamics). The study identified the dance's structural components, focusing on technical features such as simple and complex movements, coordination, amplitude, tempo contrast, patterns of movement during fixed positions and transitions, and musical-vocal and instrumental accompaniment. This opens new avenues for the preservation and innovation of traditional Miao dance culture. Based on collected field materials and processed expedition data, the study revealed the unique originality of the "Dance with Wooden Drums", where the body language and rhythmic structure of movements form a cohesive dramatic whole with the natural sound of the drum composition. For the first time, five key rhythmic elements were identified and established as foundational to the art historical research model: "shun" (顺), "guai" (拐), "zhan" (颤), "shuai" (甩), and "fan" (翻). The study analyzed a four-stage ritual structure: "Huanguu" (唤鼓舞), or Drum Awakening; "Yingguu" (迎鼓舞), or Drum Meeting; "Jutyinguu" (入厅舞), or Entrance to the Hall; and "Sunguu" (送鼓舞), or Drum Sending. Variations in rhythm were also identified, such as the slow tempo in the "Dance of the Way Out" (出场舞) and the energetic rhythm in the "Dance with Swords" (刀剑舞). Key aspects of the adaptation of this ethnic dance to modern stage art were identified, addressing gaps in the analytical and practical understanding of ethnic dances in China. Based on an analysis and evaluation of literary sources documenting the historical and cultural development of the Miao people, the following conclusions were formulated: (1) as an element of ritual practice, the "Dance with Wooden Drums" performs a sacred function, contributing to the preservation of collective memory; (2) the unique movements and rhythms of the dance reflect the national identity of the Miao people, creating a distinctive artistic style; (3) in the context of modernization, the dance serves a dual purpose: preserving cultural traditions and functioning as a vehicle for cultural exchange and the advancement of choreographic education.