Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture,Yunnan Province
Zhanghai is a well-known style of traditional folk singing of the Dai minority. It is prevalent in Xinshuangbanna, the southern part of Yunnan Province, and the other surrounding villages.
There are two kinds of Zhangha, single-style singing and singing contests. The former are mainly folk songs or love songs, which are used to express young men's admiration and love for girls. There are random performances and formulaic singing.
Zhangha plays an important role in the social lives of the Dai minority. It has to be performed on important and joyful occasions like new year's eve, marriage ceremonies, moving, and full moons.
Zhangha programs are various; the most ancient ballads, fables and legends are all included. There are some famous singers like Kang Langshuai, Kang Langying and Bo Yuwen during Zhangha's peak. In recent years, Zhangha singers of the old generation have begun to grow old and pass away, and with the rapid pace of the modernization of the Dai minority regions, many kinds of arts and entertainment, and Zhangha folk customs are losing their popularityThere are no longer any famous Zhangha singers today, and some performances have been lost.Zhangha is facing extinction; and it needs effective protection as soon as possible.
