In the Chinese ruins of the Neolithic Age over 6,000 years ago, musical instruments like potteryXun, pottery whistle, bone flute, chime stone andTuodrum were excavated. The most noteworthy discovery was made in the autumn of 1973, when a pottery basin with dancers pattern on it was excavated at Shangsunjiazhai Village of the Datong County in Qinghai Province. This basin shows us directly the dance art about 5,000 years ago.
Excavated in a tomb of the Majiayao relics, this colored pottery basin made a stir in the archaeology circle. Pottery basins with colorful figures were typical wares in the Majiayao Culture. The figures of the dancers were painted on the upper rim of the basin's inside. The 15 dancers are put in three groups separated with arc lines. The figures in each group dance hand in hand. They are wearing the same costumes and in the same posture. Their head decorations (or plaits) are thrown in the same direction, and the tail decorations (pointed objects at the bottom) are also in the same direction. This shows that the movement and rhythm were in harmony. There is no musician in the figures, and, of course, the music can't be heard. However, in a group dance, the changes in movements, formation, position, rhythm and speed must rely on the cue of music. In addition, from the dance scene of this pottery basin, the harmonious movement, formation and clothing indicate that this dance might have been a traditional show for some special occasion. To preserve and pass on this dance, the clan must have someone to master, rehearse, and organize the dance. In the primitive society, theWu(sorcerer) was in charge of all these duties. This was a crucial step in the development of primitive dance.
After this colored pottery basin was found, several other colored pottery works with dancing figures have been unearthed in China. Dancing scenes later than those found on colored pottery basins have also been found. The forefathers of various ethnic groups painted or carved exquisite dance scenes one after another. It seems as if they were inviting us to join the clan dance parties of various primitive tribes, to hear the deafening drums and shouts, to see their wild and free movements, and to feel their passionate feelings, and their deep faith and belief in Heaven and Earth, Nature, and ancestors.
The large number of dance figures found in cultural relics above or underground provides us with ample information on primitive dances. They are no longer myths but real history. They truthfully reflect the dance culture of different regions and tribes, and indicate the position and function of dance in society at that time.
Dance walked a long road in primitive society, but by the Neolithic Age, especially in the paternal society, Chinese dance art had formed its basic structure. Therefore, the elements of later dances were ready in the system of primitive dance.
Email to Friends
Print
Save