Hulusheng Dance of the Miao Minority

Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Ethnic Autonomous Prefecture,Yunnan Province

The lusheng (literally reed pipe) dance varies among different ethnic groups. The Miao and Dong people make their resonator with wooden plates; while the Yi and Lahu minorities use the hulu (gourd) as the resonator, so their instrument is called "hulusheng", literally 'gourd pipe'.

The Hulusheng dance is ancient folk entertainment popular in Man Village, Xichou County of Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Ethnic Autonomous Prefecture. Man is the main gathering place of the Hualuo tribe of the Yi ethnic group.

Hulusheng consists of two dried gourds spanned by five bamboo pipes sealed into place with wax, each with a free-beating reed mounted towards the base of the pipe. It is played by either inhaling or exhaling through the blowpipe while controlling pitch changes by covering and uncovering the hole on the pipe with a finger.

The Hualuo people usually perform the Hulusheng dance for entertainment. People dance happily around the person playing the hulusheng, and the musician will imitate bird calls, or turtledoves picking at grain. The women join together to dance in an 'S' formation. Their headgear and dress still retain traces of ancient styles, which is proof the Hulusheng dance evolved from the primitive dances of the Yi ancestors.