[Gathering tremendous strength to advance Chinese-style modernization: Deepening the reform of cultural systems and mechanisms]
In the twelfth lunar month, Zhaoxing Dong Village in Liping County, Qiandongnan Prefecture, Guizhou Province, is filled with warmth. The fire pit under the drum tower is burning brightly, the melodious Dong folk songs echo, and the workshops are bustling with activity. At the village entrance, Lu Weimin, the Party Secretary of Zhaoxing Village, excitedly observes the lively scene before him: "By protecting the traditional architecture and singing the Dong folk songs even louder, this thousand-year-old Dong village can continue to thrive."
Nestled among the mountains of Guizhou are 757 villages listed in the Chinese Traditional Villages Directory, ranking second in the country; and 312 "Chinese Ethnic Minority Characteristic Villages," ranking first in the country. These ancient villages carry colorful ethnic memories and contain the richest cultural heritage of Guizhou.
In recent years, Guizhou Province has continuously deepened the reform of its cultural system and mechanism, adhered to the principles of "protection first, rescue first, rational utilization, and inheritance and development," and carried out continuous actions to protect and inherit the excellent culture of traditional villages. Taking the creation of the "Ten Towns and One Hundred Villages" cultural tourism brand as a starting point, the systematic protection of traditional villages has achieved positive results. Fifteen practices have been included in the list of replicable experiences in the protection and utilization of traditional villages by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, and more ancient villages in the mountains of Guizhou have been revitalized with new splendor in the modern era.
Restoring the old as it was, living preservation to continue the roots
In the twelfth lunar month, the mountain winds howled. In Dawan Village, Panxin Town, Songtao Miao Autonomous County, Tongren City, surrounded by mountains, villager Grandpa Wang warmly greeted tourists: "Look, this house was built by my great-grandfather. It's a timber frame structure with mortise and tenon joints, and not a single iron nail was used."
In Dawan Village, a Miao ethnic minority village, more than 200 stilted houses built on the mountainside have long endured the test of wind and sun. "A few years ago, there was a lot of rain, and the roof started to leak, and the wooden pillars also grew mold." Standing at the threshold, he talked about the "heart disease" of the old house. "I wanted to repair it, but who to ask for approval, where to get the money, and what to repair it in was really a headache."
Sentiment alone cannot preserve ancient villages; concrete measures are also needed. In 2017, Guizhou Province promulgated and implemented the "Regulations on the Protection and Development of Traditional Villages in Guizhou Province," establishing a general framework for protection work. Tongren City issued the "Regulations on the Protection and Development of Traditional Villages in Tongren City," bringing all 114 traditional Chinese villages in the city under judicial protection, much like registering households.
In September 2022, Tongren City's first "Traditional Village Judicial Cooperation and Protection Base" was established in Dawan Village. "From now on, when repairing old houses, you can report to the village and follow this technical guide; the government will even provide subsidies," a prosecutor explained in simple terms at a village meeting, holding a booklet titled "Guidelines for the Protection and Renovation of Traditional Villages." Grandpa Wang squeezed to the front and said, "My window lattice used to be carved with magpies; they can't be ruined!"
"Don't worry! We'll find experts to take a look and tailor a renovation plan for the old house." Soon after, with the coordination of the judicial department, a renovation fund was approved, and the village also invited an old craftsman who understands ancient architecture. Looking at the restored carved window lattices, Grandpa Wang finally felt relieved: "The old flavor hasn't changed, and the 'new house' is even more comfortable to live in."
Guizhou not only weaves a tight "protective net" with the rule of law, but also uses scientific planning as a "guiding principle" to firmly support the cultural roots of traditional villages.
In winter, a visit to Baojiatun Village in Daxiqiao Town, Xixiu District, Anshun City reveals more than 30 old stone houses dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, arranged in a pleasing and orderly fashion. The uniquely designed ancient water conservancy project still irrigates the fertile fields. Once upon a time, the Bao family of seven squeezed into the old house, their only wish being to build a bright brick house.
“These old houses are the roots of our Tunpu people for 600 years. If they are demolished, our soul will be scattered.” In those years, Bao Anfeng, a member of the Party Committee of Baojiatun Village, went door to door to do the work, but the effect was limited.
Until the town established a special leading group for the protection and development of Baojiatun historical and cultural village, a blueprint for "the best of both worlds" was drawn up: all the old houses in the core area were numbered and uniformly restored to their original state according to traditional techniques, while the interiors were modernized; a new area was planned outside the village with a unified style to meet the needs of villagers for new housing.
The Bao family became one of the first beneficiaries. Their old house was renovated under government guidance, preserving its stone roof and carved stone base, and now includes bathroom facilities and internet access. They also secured a plot of land in the new district. "Now it's great," he said with a smile. "The new house is spacious and comfortable, and we can use the old house as a bed and breakfast, generating income year-round."
In recent years, Guizhou has taken the lead in the country by issuing the "Guiding Opinions on Strengthening the Protection and Development of Traditional Villages" and the "Five-Year Action Plan for High-Quality Development of Traditional Villages in Guizhou Province (2021-2025)" in the name of the provincial government. It has completed the planning of 724 traditional villages and implemented the protection of 613 villages, so that more traditional villages can not only retain their ancient charm and nostalgia, but also see the smiles of villagers in their new lives.
Miao songs and dances: dynamic inheritance integrated into daily life
"Dong dong dong." At the "Village BA" competition field in Taipan Village, Taijiang County, Qiandongnan Prefecture, a burst of exciting drumbeats suddenly rang out, and a group of dancers dressed in festive costumes rushed into the field with vigorous and bold movements, instantly igniting the enthusiasm of the entire audience.
Dozens of kilometers away in Fanpai Village, Taijiang County, Wan Zhengwen, an octogenarian and representative inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage of the wooden drum dance (Fanpai Miao wooden drum dance), is meticulously instructing the village children to practice the drum rhythm: "Listen carefully, the drumbeat is the command, and there are rules for the intensity and urgency."
The Fanpai Wooden Drum Dance, named after Fanpai Village in Taijiang County, originated from there. The dance consists of five chapters, and performing it in its entirety is an "epic" of the Miao people's migration. "The 'Oriental Disco' truly lives up to its name!" Tourists cheered, holding up their phones, their shouts echoing across the internet via live stream.
However, just over twenty years ago, such a lively scene was a rare sight. As the drumming subsided, Wan Zhengwen recounted the past: "Except for the Miao Drum Festival held once every 13 years, no one danced on ordinary days. A set of drumming rules has more than a hundred movements, which are difficult to learn and don't earn a living." At the quietest times, the number of people in the entire village who could dance the entire routine could be counted on two hands.
Faced with the dilemma of inheritance, the county has implemented a comprehensive set of measures. First, precise support was provided. After Wan Zhengwen was recognized as a representative inheritor, he received an annual subsidy for passing on his skills. The county also used cameras and recorders to meticulously record his memories of the drumbeats, steps, and even the meaning of each movement.
More importantly, it fosters self-sufficiency. Wan Zhengwen has taken on a "new identity" and has begun teaching in primary and secondary schools. Every winter and summer vacation and on weekends, the drumbeats echo continuously in the Fanpai Village drumming grounds. "As long as the drumbeats keep going, our culture will not be interrupted!" Wan Zhengwen looks at the children who are learning their craft with great satisfaction in his eyes.
The same story continues in the songs. In Rongshan Village, Laotun Township, Taijiang County, the stilted house of Zhang Hongzhen, a national-level representative inheritor of Miao ancient songs, is filled with young girls learning to sing: "This song is about the migration of ancestors, that song is about a man and woman falling in love... Not only do you have to know how to sing, but you also have to know the stories in the songs."
The Miao people have no written language, so their ancient songs, passed down orally through generations, have become wordless "epic poems." Starting in 2014, Taijiang County launched a digitization project for "Miao Ancient Songs," and Zhang Hongzhen and her team completed the archiving of over 300 hours of audio-visual materials. She proudly says, "Now, many schools ask me to teach them songs, and even more young people come to learn songs for events like the Sisters' Festival."
Last year at the Miao Sisters' Festival in Taijiang County, the youth formation composed of teachers and students from Taijiang County Secondary Vocational School was truly stunning. "Our school's ethnic music and dance, and ethnic silver jewelry and embroidery crafts making programs have all become popular," said Xiong Jinjiang, Party Secretary of Taijiang County Secondary Vocational School. He added that the school not only offers ethnic culture courses in all grades and majors, but also regularly organizes teachers and students to perform ethnic song and dance at the "Village BA" basketball court, cultivating a large number of talents for organizations such as the Taijiang County Miao Art Troupe.
The Guizhou Provincial Party Committee's Publicity Department has coordinated the "Traces of Nostalgia - Collection of Guizhou Village History and Events" themed publicity and education activities, launched the digital recording of representative intangible cultural heritage projects, and implemented a project to identify intangible cultural heritage inheritors in traditional villages... One by one, intangible cultural heritage items are being woven into the fabric of daily life and are being nurtured in dynamic inheritance.
"Village-based" businesses are gaining popularity, and the integration of culture and tourism is bringing prosperity.
As the deep, resonant sound of the bronze drum echoed in the twilight, Wang Xiaoye, a villager from Yaoshan Village, Yaoshan Township, Libo County, Qiannan Prefecture, began his "work" session. "Five or six years ago, who would have dared to imagine that dancing could be considered 'work' and support a family?" Wang Xiaoye said with a smile, wiping his sweat during the intermission. In the past, most of the young people in the village went out to work, their exquisite costumes were locked away in trunks, and the ancient village gates gradually became worn and weathered.
"We've set our sights on the cultural resources here and plan to transform the entire village into a 'living museum,'" said Bai Huasheng, chairman of Yaoshan Ancient Village Tourism Development Co., Ltd. In addition to investing in the renovation of old houses and the restoration of village gates, the local government has organized villagers to form performance troupes and transformed traditional crafts such as weaving, dyeing, and winemaking into experiential "intangible cultural heritage workshops."
"At first, everyone was hesitant, worried that tourism would disrupt the village," Wang Xiaoye recalled. To dispel their concerns, the project team and the villagers negotiated and agreed on the following rules: the performance content must be approved by the village elders and inheritors, any changes to the village's appearance must be approved by the villagers' council, and 20% of the scenic area's ticket revenue will be directly distributed to the villagers.
“Now we perform two shows a day, and our monthly income is stable at over 3,000 yuan. With the income from land transfer and the family’s guesthouse, life is much better than before.” Wang Xiaoye’s eyes shone as he changed out of his performance costume. “Now everyone has discovered that the more authentic the content, the more tourists like to watch it.”
The cultural resources of traditional villages are being transformed into development momentum, driving the development of rural industries. The villagers, who have become more prosperous, are proudly showcasing their local culture and welcoming visitors from all directions.
Baibei Village in Rongjiang County, Qiandongnan Prefecture, is famous for its exquisite "Hundred Birds Garment". However, the complicated craftsmanship makes a set of garments very valuable, and for a long time, it has remained "hidden deep in the mountains, unknown to the world".
The turning point came from the nationwide sensation, "Village Super League." When villages were organizing their own teams, Baibei Village faced a dilemma. "Although we don't have a team, we still have the Guzang Festival ceremony and the Hundred Birds Robe—these are all treasures," said Liu Zhengwen, the village's Party Secretary. He had a flash of inspiration and organized a fifty-person cheerleading squad. This group of villagers, dressed in elaborate costumes and wearing silver crowns, made their debut at the first Guizhou "Village Super League," instantly igniting a frenzy online.
"Our phones have been ringing off the hook! Everyone's asking about the Hundred Birds Robe," Liu Zhengwen said excitedly. Faced with the huge influx of traffic after its "breakout," the young people in the village stepped forward. Pan Fayong, a villager born in the 1980s who had studied design elsewhere, discussed with the embroiderers in the village: "We can't just sell clothes. We have to transform the Hundred Birds Robe into a symbol, into fashionable items such as T-shirts, scarves, and handbags."
"Village Supermarket" not only brought in orders but also attracted a flow of people. Pan Fayong became a tour guide and opened a studio to offer personalized customization services. Holding up a novel T-shirt, he introduced, "This shirt combines batik bronze drum patterns and football elements, and many young customers have become interested in it."
From "village supermarkets" and "village e-commerce platforms" to "village galas" and "village songs," from the "fingertip economy" of Miao embroidery and silver ornaments to new business models such as intangible cultural heritage study tours and agricultural experiences... Guizhou is now focusing on building a cluster of "village-branded" businesses, promoting the deep integration of traditional villages with rural tourism and distinctive industries. According to statistics, 52 villages in Guizhou Province have been selected as key national rural tourism villages, making the "soft power" of culture a "hard support" for rural revitalization.
As night falls, drums thunder in the square of Yaoshan Ancient Village, and lights shine brightly in the workshops of Baibei Miao Village. Putting down the design drawings, Pan Fayong said with great enthusiasm: "In the New Year, we will pass on our skills, enrich our experiential businesses, and let more guests fall in love with ethnic culture, so that we can live a more prosperous life."
(Reported by Chen Guanhe and Jin Xiaoyan)
Source: Guangming Daily
