Ningxia Liupan Region "mountain Flowers" And The Singing Style

Situated in the south of Ningxia Hui autonomous region, Ningxia Liupanshan area is composed of Guyuan county, Haiyuan county, Jingyuan county, Xiji county,Longde county, Pengyang county and a part of Tongxin county. Time-honored, it is the birthplace of Chinese nation, the merging place of the Yellow River culture and the North prairie culture, the channel for the exchange between Chinese and western culture, and the place where many migrations and racial blending took place. The population proportion of the Hui people in this area is the highest compared with other parts of China and even the rest of Ningxia province. Deeply influenced by their religion, these Hui people are devout Muslims. Bearing its unique features, the "wild-flower song" in this area is distinct from the "flower song" in other parts of Northwest China.Also named as "dry-flower song" and "native-flower song", the "wild-flower song" is a regionalized variant of the "flower song", a kind of folk song prevalent in Northwest China. Influenced by the geogrophical environment, the historical background and religion, the "wild-flower song" in this area is endowed with some characteristics of the "flower song". Bearing the influence of the local folk songs, such as Xintianyou, and that of the ditties and the tune of the Islamic hymns, thistypical song has evolved its unique musical features.Based on the analysis of the historical and musical culture of Ningxia Liupanshan area, this paper studies the process of the birth, the evolution as well as the development of the "wild-flower song" in this particular area. Other aspects into which this paper probes includes its literary form, its musical form and its singing techniques. Providing a survey of the dissemination and passing-down of the "wild-flower song" in the ending part, this paper presents several suggestions on the preservation and development of this particular folk art.Chapter I: A survey of Ningxia Liupanshan area. This part presents a survey of Ningxia Liupanshan area, including the study of its historical culture through the analysis of its geographical location, its cultrual background, religion and folk culture in this area; the study of its musical culture through the analysis of the folk music, the folk musical instrument, the folk opera as well as the religious music in this area.Chapter II: The "wild-flower song" in Ningxia Liupanshan area. A pivotal part of this thesis, this chapter studies the birth, the evolution and the development of the "wild-flower song". Based on a comparative study with "Hezhou flower song" and "Taomin flower song" in their musical and literary features, this part focuses on the analysis of its its literary form and its musical form.ChapterIII: The singing features of the "wild-flower song" inNingxia Liupanshan area. Also a pivotal part, this chapter examines in detail its linguisitc characteristics, its singing techniques and its embellishing skills. Based on a comparative study between the "wild-flower song" and "Hezhou flower song" as well as "Taomin flower song" in their singing techniques, the author presents in this part her personal insight into these issues.Chapter IV : The dissemination and passing-down of the "wild-flower song". This chapter makes a study on the channels and vehicles of its passing-down and its dissemination. In addition, this part also introduces several local singers who has been engaged in this work.Conclusion : The present situation and the prospect of the "wild-flower song". As a conclusion of this thesis, this part presents the author's personal view on the preservation and development of the "wild-flower song".