Yingge performers in South China welcome Year of Snake with 300-year-old folk art
Song of heroes
By Yu Jiayin and Niu Yingbo in Shantou Published: Jan 26, 2025 09:05 PM
Haimen Hemu Women's Yingge troupe performs Yingge dance in Lianhuafeng scenic area in Shantou, South China's Guangdong Province, on January 18, 2025. Photo: Yu Jiayin/GT
Bathed in the ethereal glow of the moon, the young members of the Haimen Hemu Women's Yingge troupe were immersed in their final rehearsals for the upcoming Spring Festival performance. They rhythmically struck their drumsticks in harmony, with resonant and powerful moves.
Yingge, or "dance to the song of heroes," is a performance art that merges opera, dance, and Chinese martial arts. It has flourished in Chaoshan region in eastern Guangdong Province for over three centuries. The men's Yingge draws its movements from the stories of the 108 heroes of Liangshan Mountain from the classic novel Outlaws of the Marsh, while the women's Yingge celebrates legendary heroines such as Mulan and Mu Guiying. The number of performers can range from 12 to 108.
Yingge is revered as a symbol of the concept of righteousness vanquishing evil and as a harbinger of auspicious peace. During festivals like the Spring Festival and Lantern Festival, Yingge performances are organized across various locations, becoming a unique cultural tradition of the Chaoshan region.
Today, Yingge has woven itself into the fabric of life for the people of the Chaoshan region. Many towns and streets boast their own Yingge troupes, with more and more young people under 18 forming the backbone of these teams. These dedicated young performers go to school during the day and train at night. For them, street performances during the Spring Festival are an exciting opportunity for self-expression. When asked why they are so passionate about Yingge, they confidently answer: "Because I think it's cool!"
Haimen Hemu Men's Yingge troupe takes a group photo after a performance in Lianhuafeng scenic area in Shantou, South China's Guangdong Province, on January 16, 2025. Photo: Courtesy of Lin Haisheng
Zeng Canyu, a child performer who plays the role of "Shi Qian," strikes a pose after a performance in Lianhuafeng scenic area in Shantou, South China's Guangdong Province, on January 16, 2025. Photo: Yu Jiayin/GT
A member of the Haimen Hemu Men's Yingge troupe performs in Lianhuafeng scenic area in Shantou, South China's Guangdong Province, on January 16, 2025. Photo: Yu Jiayin/GT
Global Times reporter Niu Yingbo puts on makeup before performing an Yingge dance in a show of the Haimen Hemu Women's Yingge troupe in Shantou, South China's Guangdong Province, on January 18, 2025. Photo: Yu Jiayin/ GT