Strategies for Education and Literacy in the Preservation and Transmission of Jiujiang Folk Songs in Jiangxi Province

Hui Huang, Awirut Thotham

Abstract


Jiujiang Folk Songs, from Jiujiang County in Jiangxi Province, is a traditional Chinese folk genre with unique musical styles and themes focusing on daily life, labor, love, and historical narratives. Beginning with an introduction that highlights the cultural significance of these songs, the study’s objective is to propose strategies for education and literacy in the preservation and transmission of Jiujiang folk songs in Jiangxi Province. Focusing on Jiujiang County, known for its rich cultural heritage, the research involves key informants with deep roots in the region and extensive experience in performing and teaching Jiujiang folk songs. Through qualitative data analysis, including live performance observations and structured interviews, the study identifies key challenges such as an aging population of practitioners, language barriers, and a lack of modern promotion. Drawing from these findings, the research suggests strategies at multiple levels, including legislative protection, cultural promotion, and school involvement, to bridge these gaps and ensure the continued preservation and transmission of Jiujiang folk songs. This study contributes to the broader discourse on the preservation of traditional cultural heritage in the face of modernization and serves as a model for safeguarding similar treasures worldwide.

Keywords


Jiujiang Folk Songs, Cultural Preservation, Education And Literacy, Folk Music, Jiangxi Province

Full Text:

PDF

References


Bakels, F. (2023). Applied Ethnomusicology in Nepal. Preserving Traditional Music in South Asia (Vol. 3). Logos Verlag Berlin GmbH.

Bohlman, P. V. (1988). The study of folk music in the modern world. Indiana University Press.

Campbell, P. S. (2002). Music education in a time of cultural transformation. Music Educators Journal, 89(1), 27-32. https://doi.org/10.2307/3399881

Fang, P. E. N. G. (2021). Optimization of music teaching in colleges and universities based on multimedia technology. Advances in Educational Technology and Psychology, 5(5), 47-57.

Guocheng, Z. (2022). The Development of Xinyang Folk Songs in Henan Province, China [Doctoral dissertation]. Mahasarakham University.

Harris, R. (2005). Wang Luobin: Folk song king of the northwest or song thief? Copyright, representation, and Chinese folk songs. Modern China, 31(3), 381-408. https://doi.org/10.1177/0097700405276354

Ho, W. C. (2003). Westernization and social transformations in Chinese music education, 1895-1949. History of Education, 32(3), 289-301. https://doi.org/10.1080/00467600304145

Hu, M., Wang, C., Liu, Y., Zhang, X., & Jian, S. (2019). Fish species composition, distribution and community structure in the lower reaches of Ganjiang River, Jiangxi, China. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 10100. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-46600-2

Jiangxi Province. (n.d.). Chinafolio. https://chinafolio.com/provinces/jiangxi-province

Jones, A. F. (2001). Yellow music: Media culture and colonial modernity in the Chinese jazz age. Duke University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.20622

Kan, D., Ye, X., Lyu, L., & Huang, W. (2022). Study on the coupling coordination between new-type urbanization and water ecological environment and its driving factors: Evidence from Jiangxi Province, China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(16), 9998. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19169998

Lau, W. T. (2007). Teaching Chinese folk songs with an authentic approach. Music Educators Journal, 94(2), 22-27. https://doi.org/10.1177/002743210709400206

Li, Z., & Zhou, D. (2022). Folk Cultures and Artistic Characteristics of “Yisheng Goddess” Festival Lantern Drama. In 2021 Conference on Art and Design: Inheritance and Innovation (ADII 2021) (pp. 173-178). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.220205.029

Maags, C. (2019). Struggles of recognition: adverse effects of China’s living human treasures program. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 25(8), 780-795. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527258.2018.1542330

Maags, C. (2023). State Institutions as Building Blocks of China’s Infrastructures of Memory - The Case of Intangible Heritage. Journal of Current Chinese Affairs, 0(0), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/18681026221145950

Mei, J. (2015). Major Genres of Country Music and Its Development. In 2015 2nd International Conference on Education, Language, Art and Intercultural Communication (ICELAIC-15) (pp. 472-474). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/icelaic-15.2016.120

Mei, J. (2023). The Transmission of Hukou Qingyang Opera, Jiangxi Province, China [Doctoral dissertation]. Mahasarakham University.

Merriam, A. P. (2013). Ethnomusicology discussion and definition of the field. In Ethnomusicology (pp. 63-70). Routledge.

Pan, G. (2019). A Theoretical Analysis on the Collective Memory and the China Complex of Jewish Refugees. In: A Study of Jewish Refugees in China (1933-1945). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-9483-6_11

Shilai, O. (2018, December). Investigation and Research on Opera of Poyang Lake Area in Northern Jiangxi. In 5th International Conference on Education, Language, Art and Inter-cultural Communication (ICELAIC 2018) (pp. 724-728). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/icelaic-18.2018.154

Thrasher, A. R. (1981). The sociology of Chinese music: An introduction. Asian Music, 12(2), 17-53. https://doi.org/10.2307/834055

Wu, M., & Bhengsri, T. (2023). Educational and Literacy Dimensions of Putian Coastal Folk Songs in Fujian Province, China. International Journal of Education and Literacy Studies, 11(3), 244-250. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.11n.3p.244

Yao, D. (2012). Chinese literature. Cambridge University Press.

Yao, L., Sensai, P., & Junkate, K. (2023). Nurturing Cultural Engagement and Learning among Youth through Jingyun Dagu Traditional Chinese Folk Songs in Tianjin Municipality: Cultural Engagement and Learning Among Youth. International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction, 15(3), 1845-1859.

Zhang, Q., & Zhang, Q. (2015). The Treasure House of Ancient Chinese Literature and Art. (Zhang, Q. Ed) An Introduction to Chinese History and Culture, 319-351. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-46482-3_11

Zheng, Z. (2021). Sanqu, a Type of Verse in the Yuan Dynasty. In: History of Chinese Folk Literature. Understanding China. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-5445-9_9

Zhou, D. (2021). Blueprint for Constructing Courses of Regional Music Culture in Local Colleges and Universities. In The 6th International Conference on Arts, Design and Contemporary Education (ICADCE 2020) (pp. 376-380). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.210106.073




DOI: https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.12n.1p.162

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.




License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

2013-2023 (CC-BY) Australian International Academic Centre PTY.LTD.

International Journal of Education and Literacy Studies  

You may require to add the 'aiac.org.au' domain to your e-mail 'safe list’ If you do not receive e-mail in your 'inbox'. Otherwise, you may check your 'Spam mail' or 'junk mail' folders.