Studies On Longren's "Long"

As a branch of Zhuang People,Long People mainly reside in the border areas of Pingguo County,Tiandong County and Tiandeng County of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.Living in rocky mountains and depressions for generations?Long People are called Bulong by nearby peoples and are also called Zhuang People in Depressions in some academic works.Long People live in the areas that seperate Zhuang People into the north part and the south part.The group of Long has been formed through a fusion of many groups from other places who brought their daily-used stuff to the new settlement,including an instrument called Long,which gradually evolved beyond its original functions in Long community.Long not only became a part in Taoist or Buddhist sacrificial ceremonies,but also became an independent instrument with a special dance invented for it.Therefore,Long became a significant cultural symbol reflecting the social lives of ancient Zhuang People.With the development of Zhuang society,the use of Long gradually decreased,and the image of Long faded.However,in the settlement of modern Long People,a large number of Long is preserved,and the dance of Long could also be found as its original way.With the successful inheritance of traditional belief of Shigong,an unique ethnic and geographic culture could be seen in the settlement of modern Long people.The study on Long could reproduce the society and lives of ancient Zhuang People as well as make further investigations about the role Long has played along the history of Long society.