On The Cultural Change Of Tujia's "Nuo" In Western Hubei

Sancha Nuo opera in Enshi has been paid much attention among academic circles since 1980 s because its traditional rituals embody early human religious beliefs which are worth of studying.This thesis aims to survey the changes of Sancha Nuo opera through research methods such as literature collection,historical investigation and field study.Based on the study of traditional rituals like “redeeming a vow to God Altar” and a suvey of the current status quo of Nuo opera in Sancha township,the present study focuses on the changes of Nuo opera along with the social and cultural development.Finally,the causes of changes will be analyzed in order to discuss the protection measures of traditional folk culture.This thesis is divided into six chapters:The first chapter mainly introduces the background and research significance of this thesis,clarifies the literature review of Nuo opera study at home and abroad.Then comes the research questions and the research approach and summarizes the basic situation of Sancha township from the aspects of geography,history,economic development,religious belief and cultural development.The second chapter explains the origin and evolution of Sancha Nuo opera.Then the author analyzes the ethical implication and social function of Sancha Nuo opera in terms of social tradition,ecology and human-god relationship from its historical origin,forms of manifestation and inheritance.The third chapter mainly compares the current situation of the Sancha Nuo opera with the traditional rituals.Through the analysis of the specific changes of Sancha Nuo opera in terms of expression,inheritance and social function,the present study intends to reveal the regular characteristics of the changes of Sancha Nuo operasuch as from single to multiple development,the inherent nature to the external form,spontaneous to non-spontaneous transmission.The fourth chapter displays the dilemma of the inheritance,living space and supporting policies of Sancha Nuo opera,and then discusses the causes of thedilemma from the social,economic,cultural and technological aspects.Chapter Five mainly analyzes the practical significance of strengthening the protection of Sancha Nuo opera,and puts forward some protective measures in the light of the characteristics of Sancha Nuo opera and the existing problems in the protection of intangible cultural heritage.Finally,the conclusion part stresses that Sancha Nuo opera has undergone a significant change,facing the risk of extinction regarding its essence of the redeeming rituals and external forms of performance.The present study points out that further measures must be taken to protect and transmit traditional Sancha Nuo opera,which also provides practical evidence for the study of intangible cultural heritage protection.