What are the Tujia dances?

The Tujia dances, including the Hand Pendulum Dance, the Meat Lian Rattle, the Ground Dragon Lantern, the Eight Treasures Copper Bell Dance, the Maugus Dance, the Horse Jumping Dance, the Sa Ye Ye Ye Ho, and the Mourning Dance, are all distinctively Tujia in character. Among them, the Pendulum Dance, Mogus Dance, Saye'erho, Meat Lianrong, and Earth Dragon Lantern have been listed in the national intangible cultural heritage list.

The aesthetic modeling of Tujia dance elements is firstly, the modeling of sending good and declaring intentions to show different situations and thoughts; secondly, the modeling of symbolizing spirits, and thirdly, the modeling of aesthetics and practicality. These characteristics of aesthetic modeling reflect the rich artistic and spiritual deposits that have been baptized by many cultures.

The Tujia dance embodies the worship of primitive totems. In the dance of the Tujia people, there are obvious symbols of totem, for example, some regard the tiger as an invincible holy object, and the worship of the white tiger as a kind of system to regulate the behavior of the Tujia forefathers' clans, which has also become an important link for the unity of the clans.

The Tujia dance embodies ancient ancestor worship. From its inception to its finalization, the Tujia funeral dance has never changed its sacrificial function. There are historical records, the dance is mainly from the ancient Tujia forefathers of the ancestor of the Grange of reverence, which can be seen in the Tujia forefathers of a more special kind of religious fervor.

The Tujia dance embodies the idea of a vigorous and progressive group. Tujia people's national character is distinctive, generally open and cheerful, enthusiastic, they will be the desire for a better life and the pursuit of a variety of Tujia dance movements skillfully integrated.