Zhanggu Dance
Zhanggu Dance: Why do the Bai people of Sangzhi County in Zhangjiajie love to dance the Zhanggu Dance? It's a long story. Legend has it that when the Minjia people (as the Bai call themselves) first came to Sangzhi to settle, being few in number and weak in influence, they were often bullied by other ethnic groups, especially oppressed by government offices. To make a living, the Minjia people took up martial arts as a common practice. One year before Spring Festival, three Minjia brothers were at home pounding glutinous rice cakes...
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Zhanggu Dance
Why do the Bai people of Sangzhi County in Zhangjiajie love to dance the Zhanggu Dance? It is a long story. It is said that when the Minjia people (as the Bai people call themselves) first came to Sangzhi to settle, because they were few in number and weak in influence, they were often bullied by other ethnic groups, especially oppressed by government offices. To make a living, the Minjia people developed a strong tradition of practicing martial arts.
One year before the Spring Festival, three Minjia brothers were at home pounding ciba (glutinous rice cakes) when a small squad of government soldiers suddenly burst in. Without a word, they grabbed the ciba and ate it. Not content with filling their bellies, they threw and scattered the leftovers as a game. Before leaving, they even tried to forcibly take away the remaining ciba. The three brothers had worked hard all year to make just a bit of ciba, and seeing the soldiers about to seize it, how could they bear it! They immediately fought with the soldiers. At first everyone was just pushing and shoving, but later they drew knives and spears. The three brothers, unable to grab their weapons in time, all seized the pestles used for pounding ciba (also called "baba chui") to defend themselves. The three brothers were highly skilled in martial arts and in a few moves beat the soldiers into confusion, sending them fleeing in utter disarray. Having driven off the soldiers and protected the ciba, the three brothers were so delighted that they waved their pestles and danced.
Later, every Spring Festival when the Minjia people pounded ciba, they would perform martial-arts movements with the "baba chui" for fun, and enthusiasts would accompany them with drumbeats. Over time, this primitive and simple "baba chui dance" evolved into the "Zhanggu Dance" and became a "clan dance." On every festival and joyous occasion, the Minjia people would spontaneously dance the Zhanggu Dance. In particular, during "you shen" (deity procession) activities there was even a rule that those who could not dance the Zhanggu Dance were not allowed to join the "you shen" procession!