Yang drama in Youyang keeps the traditional features of masked Yang Drama, and the main characteristic is that all the actors wear wooden masks, while donning costumes as ghosts and gods.

Th

The features of Yang Drama are as follows:
1. A distinct consciousness of drama
2. Vivid and lively characters.
3.Obtaining a both solemn and humorous atmosphere during the performance.
4. A variety of performing instruments, such as the costumes, musical instruments, and masks.
5. Profound connotations in the script.
6. Powerful music with lyrics easy to understand, making the local people easily resonate with the performance.
Different roles have different actions according to the plot.

Fifteen hundred years ago, a famous poem written by Tao Yuanming, a great poet of the Jin Dynasty, called “The Peach Blossom Spring”, drove countless people to search for the utopian valley described in it. It turns out that the Big You Cavern is the gateway to this described ethereal utopia. The cavern has isolated the region, limiting outside contact and contamination for hundreds of years. The people behind this gateway were seen as living an ideal life in harmony with nature. Today, the Peach Valley has become a name card of Youyang.

The Origin of Yang Drama

Yang Drama is a variety and development of the Nuo Opera genre, which can be traced back to the ancient Shang Dynasty (B.C.1700 – B.C. 1100). It is believed that Yang Drama of Youyang in Chongqing province dates back to the Tang Dynasty (CE 618-907). The local residents would invite the Yang Drama troupes to pray to the gods for blessing their families, and chasing away the evil spirits. During the performance, performers would wear colorful costumes and various masks, utilize props, sing with instruments like Huqin, bamboo clappers, gongs and drums, which was in harmony with the stage, pace, figure, and so on. All performers are males, even those for the female roles.

The development and present challenges of Yang Drama

Around 50-60 years ago, there were 48 Yang Drama groups, whose performances were very popular at that time. However, only 6 or 7 groups have survived, and the supply and training of performers are quite unstable. According to Ran Qiyao, the leader of the Taopo Yang Drama group, the shortage of performers turns out to be the biggest problem. In recent years, thanks to the government’s efforts to develop the local tourism, many tourists have come to visit this quiet village, but the Taopo group haven’t even performed once last year. For the local people, Yang Drama is not only one of the limited public entertainment activity, but also a cultural treasure representing their longing and hope for a better life.

In their daily life, the Tujia people improvise songs using inspiration from the natural landscape and social phenomenons as source material during their work or leisure time. The folk songs of the Tujia minority group reflect their historical development, modes of production, religious beliefs, folk customs, art traditions and local language.

The Tujia folk songs in the Wujiang river basin in Chongqing are rich in content including the local food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. They describe a rich and almost forgotten way of life with unique national characteristics. 

In their daily life, the Tujia people improvise songs using inspiration from the natural landscape and social phenomenons as source material during their work or leisure time. The folk songs of the Tujia minority group reflect their historical development, modes of production, religious beliefs, folk customs, art traditions and local language.

1. Self-entertaining folk song:

2.  Flirting folk song: the flirting folk songs show teasing or flirting to the opposite sex. These ballads have a deep methodology and stories, most of which tell the boys and girls to maintain an honest and persistent pursuit of love.

3. Relieving folk song: this kind of song aims to cheer people up after work when they feel tired or upset.

4. Duet folk song: also called ask-and-answer songs. One singer answers another one’s question by singing while adding riddles into the lyrics.