Yichuan Chest Drum

Yichuan Chest Drum

　　 The chest drum, also known as the "flower drum," originated in southern Shanxi and was introduced to Yichuan after the Song Dynasty. It has undergone continuous innovation and development during performances and is now widely practiced in the Yichuan area. Drummers are found all over the county, with very large performance troupes that have gained considerable national recognition.

　　The chest drum can be performed either on stage or in streets and squares, with flexible group sizes ranging from just a few to over a hundred performers, including both men and women. During performances, male and female dancers wear different colored short-sleeved tight tops, headbands styled as hero's scarves, colorful butterfly ornaments, warrior-style cherry blossoms on their backs, colorful silk sashes around their waists, snug wristbands, leg wraps, and cloud-step shoes. Male performers typically wear five oval small drums on their chests, holding a hard wooden drumstick in the left hand and a soft ox-hide drumstick in the right, presenting a vibrant and heroic image. Female performers dance joyfully while wielding whips reminiscent of the King of Chu, colorful fans, small cymbals, or small gongs. Sometimes a single male performs drumming alone, other times a male and female dance together in a duet, or four to eight female drummers surround a male drummer, playing and dancing simultaneously. The performance also incorporates various artistic elements from folk and theatrical dances. There are different playing styles such as solo, duo, and group performances. Dancing steps include upward strikes, downward strikes, flat strikes, chain strikes, waist wraps, figure-eight loops, and cross patterns, creating smooth and varied formations like single or double gourds, single or double dragon tails, cross-shaped plum blossoms, four-pillar sky supports, and large circle formations. The overall performance features complex yet orderly drum rhythms, strong dynamic beats, graceful and athletic movements, and a grand, sweeping momentum. It carries a rich sense of everyday life and strong artistic appeal.

　　In recent years, Yichuan chest drum has been featured in major celebratory events such as the opening ceremony of the 9th Provincial Games, the “Pomegranate Festival” in Lintong, the “Yangge Festival” in Shenyang, the “China Silk Road Festival” in Lanzhou, the “Splendid China” event in Shenzhen, and the 1994 National Day celebrations. In 1992, it also participated in a large-scale commemorative event jointly organized by CCTV, Shanghai TV, Shaanxi TV, and Yan’an TV to mark the 50th anniversary of Chairman Mao’s “Talks at the Yan’an Forum on Literature and Art,” which was broadcast live nationwide. The performance has won numerous awards and received high praise from Party and state leaders, as well as widespread acclaim from audiences.

　　Source: Yichuan County Government Website