Hubei Dagu

As a national intangible cultural heritage, Hubei Dagu carries the rhythmic beauty of the Hubei dialect and the earthy charm of urban life. From rural fields to international stages, this traditional folk art is deeply rooted in the local soil while keeping pace with the times.

Hubei Dagu is not only a nostalgic memory of the Hubei people's native tongue, but also a carrier of cultural export. In places like Wuhan, Xiaogan, and Huanggang, it can be seen in open-air threshing floors and community stages, blending into the daily lives of the people。

Origin and Development:

Hubei Dagu, originally known as "drum storytelling," "storytelling with drum accompaniment," "Beijing-style drum singing," or "preaching kindness through storytelling," is a quyi (folk art) form that primarily combines speaking and singing. It is one of the four major local quyi genres in Hubei. The performance styles of Hubei Dagu are rich and diverse, ranging from solo singing and storytelling to duet or group performances, accompanied by instruments such as the erhu and sanxian. The history of Hubei Dagu can be traced back to the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty. A Shandong drum storytelling artist named Ding Tieban came to Wuhan to perform, and his disciples fused northern drum storytelling with the dialects of Huangpi and Xiaogan in Hubei, gradually forming Hubei Dagu with its distinctive Huangxiao style.

In 2008, Hubei Dagu was included in the second batch of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List (No. V-61), becoming an important representative of Hubei's folk arts.

Artistic Features:

Hubei Dagu is accompanied by a drum and clapper, combining singing and recitation with both narrative and lyric functions.  During the performance, the artist usually stands in front of the drum, holding a cloud clapper in the left hand to keep the beat, and a drumstick in the right hand to strike the drumhead or rim, while also incorporating hand gestures, eye movements, body posture, and footsteps into the performance.  Variable drum and clapper patterns are often inserted between singing and recitation passages to enhance the atmosphere, provide time for thinking about the lyrics, or allow for a brief rest.  Its melody is steady and unpretentious, capable of both narration and lyricism, and can be varied into more than a dozen different rhythms and singing styles according to the content and emotional requirements of the repertoire, embodying the rich folk music style of northeastern Hubei.

Melodic Rhythm: The main tune "Siping Diao" is flexible and changeable, from which more than ten rhythms such as "Fast Siping" and "Humorous Tune" can be derived, complemented by various drum patterns, resulting in rich rhythms.

Charm of Dialect: Mainly using the Huangpi accent, it is close to the lives of the people, with content mostly focusing on daily life trivia and historical romances, delivered in a humorous and witty language.

Performance Innovation: Modern Hubei Dagu incorporates elements such as pop songs and Chu Opera, as seen in Zhang Mingzhi's "Reunion," which retains the traditional charm while attracting younger audiences.

Classic Repertoires: 

Traditional masterpieces: "Crossing the Boundary Ridge," "Four Journeys to Henan," "Rebellion Against the Tang Dynasty," etc., mostly depicting historical stories and folk legends.

Modern classics: Works created by Zhang Mingzhi, such as "The Biological Son Causing a Ruckus in the Bridal Chamber," "Such a Daughter-in-Law," "Looking for a Stepmother," etc., themed around urban life, have become popular both domestically and internationally, with tapes and DVDs sold as far as the United States and Southeast Asia.

The charm of Hubei Dagu lies in the fact that it is both an echo of history and the pulse of the times. As Zhang Mingzhi once said, "The audience must not dwindle to none." Only by boldly innovating while adhering to tradition can this art form remain vibrant. Let us listen together to the stories of Jingchu in the sound of the drum and clapper, and let this intangible cultural heritage continue to shine in the new era.