Hahaqiang
01 · Historical Records
Hahaqiang was originally the title of a folk tune. The tune appears both in 'You Si' (Visiting the Temple), the episode from 'Xixiang Ji' (The Story of the Western Wing) collected in the Beijing manuscript 'Zaqu Ershijiu Zhong' (Twenty-nine Miscellaneous Tunes) of the Jiaqing era of the Qing dynasty, and in the Beijing 'Baibenzhang' manuscript copies. Hahaqiang is generally thought to have formed in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties; it was already popular both in the capital and among the people during the Qianlong era of the Qing dynasty, and it reached its height in the late Qing and the early years of the Republic of China.
02 · Core Techniques & Process
Hahaqiang is also called the 'Hehe Qiang' and the 'Hege Qiang'; it is current in Baoding, Cangzhou, Hengshui, Langfang and Shijiazhuang in Hebei Province and in the Huimin and Dezhou areas of Shandong Province. Its development passed through two stages, the local folk song-and-dance and the local small play, and it finally took shape as a small play whose vocal style takes the stringed folk tune 'Liuzi' as its basic melody. The eastern branch is current in the Dezhou and Huimin areas of Shandong Province and in southeastern Hebei; the central branch is current in the Cangzhou and Hengshui areas; the western branch is current in the Baoding area and in parts of Langfang. The vocal system of Hahaqiang belongs to the banqiang (regulated-aria) system; [Liushui Ban] (Flowing Water Metre) is the core metre, and the principal metres are [Tou Ban] (First Metre), [Er Ban] (Second Metre), [San Ban] (Third Metre), [Kuai San Ban] (Fast Third Metre), [Duo Ban] (Piled Metre) and [Jian Ban] (Sharp Metre). The vocal styles of the various role types in Hahaqiang are broadly the same; they are divided into a male style and a female style, both set to the same key, with only slight differences in melody. Its instruments are dominated by three principal pieces, the 'zhuo sheng' (plain sheng), the 'qiao xian' (refined string instrument) and the 'langdang di' (flourishing flute); the flute of the western branch is especially prominent, and the ensemble is rich in the character of folk wind-and-percussion music. The traditional repertoire of Hahaqiang numbers more than one hundred plays and is distinguished above all by its comic style. Representative works include 'Wang Xiao Da Niao' (Wang Xiao Hunting Birds), 'San Bai Hua Tang' (Three Bowings at the Bridal Hall), 'Shuang Deng Ji' (The Two Lamps), 'Li Xianglian Mai Hua' (Li Xianglian Sells a Painting), 'Jin Suo Ji' (Chronicle of the Golden Lock), 'Nv Zhongkui' (The Woman Who Tops the Examinations), 'Mai Shui' (Selling Water), 'Yang Ershe Hua Yuan' (Yang Ershe's Mendicancy) and 'Tang Zhixian Shen Gaoming' (Magistrate Tang Judges the Imperial Decree). There are also small plays reflecting folk life such as 'Xiao Guo Nian' (The Small New Year), 'Shuan Wa Wa' (Tying the Baby) and 'Shuai Fangche' (Toppling the Spinning Wheel), as well as large plays transplanted from bangzi opera such as 'Quan Zhongxiao' (Complete Loyalty and Filial Piety) and 'Wu Yudai' (Black Jade Belt). These plays are strongly marked by local colour, their texts are plain and easy to understand, and they are much welcome among peasants, especially rural women.
Wang Xiao Da Niao (Wang Xiao Hunting Birds)
The traditional repertoire of Hahaqiang numbers more than one hundred plays and is distinguished above all by its comic style. Representative works include 'Wang Xiao Da Niao' (Wang Xiao Hunting Birds), 'San Bai Hua Tang' (Three Bowings at the Bridal Hall), 'Shuang Deng Ji' (The Two Lamps), 'Li Xianglian Mai Hua' (Li Xianglian Sells a Painting), 'Jin Suo Ji' (Chronicle of the Golden Lock), 'Nv Zhongkui' (The Woman Who Tops the Examinations), 'Mai Shui' (Selling Water), 'Yang Ershe Hua Yuan' (Yang Ershe's Mendicancy) and 'Tang Zhixian Shen Gaoming' (Magistrate Tang Judges the Imperial Decree). There are also small plays reflecting folk life such as 'Xiao Guo Nian' (The Small New Year), 'Shuan Wa Wa' (Tying the Baby) and 'Shuai Fangche' (Toppling the Spinning Wheel), as well as large plays transplanted from bangzi opera such as 'Quan Zhongxiao' (Complete Loyalty and Filial Piety) and 'Wu Yudai' (Black Jade Belt).
San Bai Hua Tang (Three Bowings at the Bridal Hall)
The traditional repertoire of Hahaqiang numbers more than one hundred plays and is distinguished above all by its comic style. Representative works include 'Wang Xiao Da Niao' (Wang Xiao Hunting Birds), 'San Bai Hua Tang' (Three Bowings at the Bridal Hall), 'Shuang Deng Ji' (The Two Lamps), 'Li Xianglian Mai Hua' (Li Xianglian Sells a Painting), 'Jin Suo Ji' (Chronicle of the Golden Lock), 'Nv Zhongkui' (The Woman Who Tops the Examinations), 'Mai Shui' (Selling Water), 'Yang Ershe Hua Yuan' (Yang Ershe's Mendicancy) and 'Tang Zhixian Shen Gaoming' (Magistrate Tang Judges the Imperial Decree). There are also small plays reflecting folk life such as 'Xiao Guo Nian' (The Small New Year), 'Shuan Wa Wa' (Tying the Baby) and 'Shuai Fangche' (Toppling the Spinning Wheel), as well as large plays transplanted from bangzi opera such as 'Quan Zhongxiao' (Complete Loyalty and Filial Piety) and 'Wu Yudai' (Black Jade Belt).
Shuang Deng Ji (The Two Lamps)
The traditional repertoire of Hahaqiang numbers more than one hundred plays and is distinguished above all by its comic style. Representative works include 'Wang Xiao Da Niao' (Wang Xiao Hunting Birds), 'San Bai Hua Tang' (Three Bowings at the Bridal Hall), 'Shuang Deng Ji' (The Two Lamps), 'Li Xianglian Mai Hua' (Li Xianglian Sells a Painting), 'Jin Suo Ji' (Chronicle of the Golden Lock), 'Nv Zhongkui' (The Woman Who Tops the Examinations), 'Mai Shui' (Selling Water), 'Yang Ershe Hua Yuan' (Yang Ershe's Mendicancy) and 'Tang Zhixian Shen Gaoming' (Magistrate Tang Judges the Imperial Decree). There are also small plays reflecting folk life such as 'Xiao Guo Nian' (The Small New Year), 'Shuan Wa Wa' (Tying the Baby) and 'Shuai Fangche' (Toppling the Spinning Wheel), as well as large plays transplanted from bangzi opera such as 'Quan Zhongxiao' (Complete Loyalty and Filial Piety) and 'Wu Yudai' (Black Jade Belt).
Li Xianglian Mai Hua (Li Xianglian Sells a Painting)
The traditional repertoire of Hahaqiang numbers more than one hundred plays and is distinguished above all by its comic style. Representative works include 'Wang Xiao Da Niao' (Wang Xiao Hunting Birds), 'San Bai Hua Tang' (Three Bowings at the Bridal Hall), 'Shuang Deng Ji' (The Two Lamps), 'Li Xianglian Mai Hua' (Li Xianglian Sells a Painting), 'Jin Suo Ji' (Chronicle of the Golden Lock), 'Nv Zhongkui' (The Woman Who Tops the Examinations), 'Mai Shui' (Selling Water), 'Yang Ershe Hua Yuan' (Yang Ershe's Mendicancy) and 'Tang Zhixian Shen Gaoming' (Magistrate Tang Judges the Imperial Decree). There are also small plays reflecting folk life such as 'Xiao Guo Nian' (The Small New Year), 'Shuan Wa Wa' (Tying the Baby) and 'Shuai Fangche' (Toppling the Spinning Wheel), as well as large plays transplanted from bangzi opera such as 'Quan Zhongxiao' (Complete Loyalty and Filial Piety) and 'Wu Yudai' (Black Jade Belt).
Jin Suo Ji (Chronicle of the Golden Lock)
The traditional repertoire of Hahaqiang numbers more than one hundred plays and is distinguished above all by its comic style. Representative works include 'Wang Xiao Da Niao' (Wang Xiao Hunting Birds), 'San Bai Hua Tang' (Three Bowings at the Bridal Hall), 'Shuang Deng Ji' (The Two Lamps), 'Li Xianglian Mai Hua' (Li Xianglian Sells a Painting), 'Jin Suo Ji' (Chronicle of the Golden Lock), 'Nv Zhongkui' (The Woman Who Tops the Examinations), 'Mai Shui' (Selling Water), 'Yang Ershe Hua Yuan' (Yang Ershe's Mendicancy) and 'Tang Zhixian Shen Gaoming' (Magistrate Tang Judges the Imperial Decree). There are also small plays reflecting folk life such as 'Xiao Guo Nian' (The Small New Year), 'Shuan Wa Wa' (Tying the Baby) and 'Shuai Fangche' (Toppling the Spinning Wheel), as well as large plays transplanted from bangzi opera such as 'Quan Zhongxiao' (Complete Loyalty and Filial Piety) and 'Wu Yudai' (Black Jade Belt).
Nv Zhongkui (The Woman Who Tops the Examinations)
The traditional repertoire of Hahaqiang numbers more than one hundred plays and is distinguished above all by its comic style. Representative works include 'Wang Xiao Da Niao' (Wang Xiao Hunting Birds), 'San Bai Hua Tang' (Three Bowings at the Bridal Hall), 'Shuang Deng Ji' (The Two Lamps), 'Li Xianglian Mai Hua' (Li Xianglian Sells a Painting), 'Jin Suo Ji' (Chronicle of the Golden Lock), 'Nv Zhongkui' (The Woman Who Tops the Examinations), 'Mai Shui' (Selling Water), 'Yang Ershe Hua Yuan' (Yang Ershe's Mendicancy) and 'Tang Zhixian Shen Gaoming' (Magistrate Tang Judges the Imperial Decree). There are also small plays reflecting folk life such as 'Xiao Guo Nian' (The Small New Year), 'Shuan Wa Wa' (Tying the Baby) and 'Shuai Fangche' (Toppling the Spinning Wheel), as well as large plays transplanted from bangzi opera such as 'Quan Zhongxiao' (Complete Loyalty and Filial Piety) and 'Wu Yudai' (Black Jade Belt).
Mai Shui (Selling Water)
The traditional repertoire of Hahaqiang numbers more than one hundred plays and is distinguished above all by its comic style. Representative works include 'Wang Xiao Da Niao' (Wang Xiao Hunting Birds), 'San Bai Hua Tang' (Three Bowings at the Bridal Hall), 'Shuang Deng Ji' (The Two Lamps), 'Li Xianglian Mai Hua' (Li Xianglian Sells a Painting), 'Jin Suo Ji' (Chronicle of the Golden Lock), 'Nv Zhongkui' (The Woman Who Tops the Examinations), 'Mai Shui' (Selling Water), 'Yang Ershe Hua Yuan' (Yang Ershe's Mendicancy) and 'Tang Zhixian Shen Gaoming' (Magistrate Tang Judges the Imperial Decree). There are also small plays reflecting folk life such as 'Xiao Guo Nian' (The Small New Year), 'Shuan Wa Wa' (Tying the Baby) and 'Shuai Fangche' (Toppling the Spinning Wheel), as well as large plays transplanted from bangzi opera such as 'Quan Zhongxiao' (Complete Loyalty and Filial Piety) and 'Wu Yudai' (Black Jade Belt).
Yang Ershe Hua Yuan (Yang Ershe's Mendicancy)
The traditional repertoire of Hahaqiang numbers more than one hundred plays and is distinguished above all by its comic style. Representative works include 'Wang Xiao Da Niao' (Wang Xiao Hunting Birds), 'San Bai Hua Tang' (Three Bowings at the Bridal Hall), 'Shuang Deng Ji' (The Two Lamps), 'Li Xianglian Mai Hua' (Li Xianglian Sells a Painting), 'Jin Suo Ji' (Chronicle of the Golden Lock), 'Nv Zhongkui' (The Woman Who Tops the Examinations), 'Mai Shui' (Selling Water), 'Yang Ershe Hua Yuan' (Yang Ershe's Mendicancy) and 'Tang Zhixian Shen Gaoming' (Magistrate Tang Judges the Imperial Decree). There are also small plays reflecting folk life such as 'Xiao Guo Nian' (The Small New Year), 'Shuan Wa Wa' (Tying the Baby) and 'Shuai Fangche' (Toppling the Spinning Wheel), as well as large plays transplanted from bangzi opera such as 'Quan Zhongxiao' (Complete Loyalty and Filial Piety) and 'Wu Yudai' (Black Jade Belt).
Tang Zhixian Shen Gaoming (Magistrate Tang Judges the Imperial Decree)
The traditional repertoire of Hahaqiang numbers more than one hundred plays and is distinguished above all by its comic style. Representative works include 'Wang Xiao Da Niao' (Wang Xiao Hunting Birds), 'San Bai Hua Tang' (Three Bowings at the Bridal Hall), 'Shuang Deng Ji' (The Two Lamps), 'Li Xianglian Mai Hua' (Li Xianglian Sells a Painting), 'Jin Suo Ji' (Chronicle of the Golden Lock), 'Nv Zhongkui' (The Woman Who Tops the Examinations), 'Mai Shui' (Selling Water), 'Yang Ershe Hua Yuan' (Yang Ershe's Mendicancy) and 'Tang Zhixian Shen Gaoming' (Magistrate Tang Judges the Imperial Decree). There are also small plays reflecting folk life such as 'Xiao Guo Nian' (The Small New Year), 'Shuan Wa Wa' (Tying the Baby) and 'Shuai Fangche' (Toppling the Spinning Wheel), as well as large plays transplanted from bangzi opera such as 'Quan Zhongxiao' (Complete Loyalty and Filial Piety) and 'Wu Yudai' (Black Jade Belt).
Xiao Guo Nian (The Small New Year)
The traditional repertoire of Hahaqiang numbers more than one hundred plays and is distinguished above all by its comic style. Representative works include 'Wang Xiao Da Niao' (Wang Xiao Hunting Birds), 'San Bai Hua Tang' (Three Bowings at the Bridal Hall), 'Shuang Deng Ji' (The Two Lamps), 'Li Xianglian Mai Hua' (Li Xianglian Sells a Painting), 'Jin Suo Ji' (Chronicle of the Golden Lock), 'Nv Zhongkui' (The Woman Who Tops the Examinations), 'Mai Shui' (Selling Water), 'Yang Ershe Hua Yuan' (Yang Ershe's Mendicancy) and 'Tang Zhixian Shen Gaoming' (Magistrate Tang Judges the Imperial Decree). There are also small plays reflecting folk life such as 'Xiao Guo Nian' (The Small New Year), 'Shuan Wa Wa' (Tying the Baby) and 'Shuai Fangche' (Toppling the Spinning Wheel), as well as large plays transplanted from bangzi opera such as 'Quan Zhongxiao' (Complete Loyalty and Filial Piety) and 'Wu Yudai' (Black Jade Belt).
Shuan Wa Wa (Tying the Baby)
The traditional repertoire of Hahaqiang numbers more than one hundred plays and is distinguished above all by its comic style. Representative works include 'Wang Xiao Da Niao' (Wang Xiao Hunting Birds), 'San Bai Hua Tang' (Three Bowings at the Bridal Hall), 'Shuang Deng Ji' (The Two Lamps), 'Li Xianglian Mai Hua' (Li Xianglian Sells a Painting), 'Jin Suo Ji' (Chronicle of the Golden Lock), 'Nv Zhongkui' (The Woman Who Tops the Examinations), 'Mai Shui' (Selling Water), 'Yang Ershe Hua Yuan' (Yang Ershe's Mendicancy) and 'Tang Zhixian Shen Gaoming' (Magistrate Tang Judges the Imperial Decree). There are also small plays reflecting folk life such as 'Xiao Guo Nian' (The Small New Year), 'Shuan Wa Wa' (Tying the Baby) and 'Shuai Fangche' (Toppling the Spinning Wheel), as well as large plays transplanted from bangzi opera such as 'Quan Zhongxiao' (Complete Loyalty and Filial Piety) and 'Wu Yudai' (Black Jade Belt).
Shuai Fangche (Toppling the Spinning Wheel)
The traditional repertoire of Hahaqiang numbers more than one hundred plays and is distinguished above all by its comic style. Representative works include 'Wang Xiao Da Niao' (Wang Xiao Hunting Birds), 'San Bai Hua Tang' (Three Bowings at the Bridal Hall), 'Shuang Deng Ji' (The Two Lamps), 'Li Xianglian Mai Hua' (Li Xianglian Sells a Painting), 'Jin Suo Ji' (Chronicle of the Golden Lock), 'Nv Zhongkui' (The Woman Who Tops the Examinations), 'Mai Shui' (Selling Water), 'Yang Ershe Hua Yuan' (Yang Ershe's Mendicancy) and 'Tang Zhixian Shen Gaoming' (Magistrate Tang Judges the Imperial Decree). There are also small plays reflecting folk life such as 'Xiao Guo Nian' (The Small New Year), 'Shuan Wa Wa' (Tying the Baby) and 'Shuai Fangche' (Toppling the Spinning Wheel), as well as large plays transplanted from bangzi opera such as 'Quan Zhongxiao' (Complete Loyalty and Filial Piety) and 'Wu Yudai' (Black Jade Belt).
Quan Zhongxiao (Complete Loyalty and Filial Piety)
The traditional repertoire of Hahaqiang numbers more than one hundred plays and is distinguished above all by its comic style. Representative works include 'Wang Xiao Da Niao' (Wang Xiao Hunting Birds), 'San Bai Hua Tang' (Three Bowings at the Bridal Hall), 'Shuang Deng Ji' (The Two Lamps), 'Li Xianglian Mai Hua' (Li Xianglian Sells a Painting), 'Jin Suo Ji' (Chronicle of the Golden Lock), 'Nv Zhongkui' (The Woman Who Tops the Examinations), 'Mai Shui' (Selling Water), 'Yang Ershe Hua Yuan' (Yang Ershe's Mendicancy) and 'Tang Zhixian Shen Gaoming' (Magistrate Tang Judges the Imperial Decree). There are also small plays reflecting folk life such as 'Xiao Guo Nian' (The Small New Year), 'Shuan Wa Wa' (Tying the Baby) and 'Shuai Fangche' (Toppling the Spinning Wheel), as well as large plays transplanted from bangzi opera such as 'Quan Zhongxiao' (Complete Loyalty and Filial Piety) and 'Wu Yudai' (Black Jade Belt).
Wu Yudai (Black Jade Belt)
The traditional repertoire of Hahaqiang numbers more than one hundred plays and is distinguished above all by its comic style. Representative works include 'Wang Xiao Da Niao' (Wang Xiao Hunting Birds), 'San Bai Hua Tang' (Three Bowings at the Bridal Hall), 'Shuang Deng Ji' (The Two Lamps), 'Li Xianglian Mai Hua' (Li Xianglian Sells a Painting), 'Jin Suo Ji' (Chronicle of the Golden Lock), 'Nv Zhongkui' (The Woman Who Tops the Examinations), 'Mai Shui' (Selling Water), 'Yang Ershe Hua Yuan' (Yang Ershe's Mendicancy) and 'Tang Zhixian Shen Gaoming' (Magistrate Tang Judges the Imperial Decree). There are also small plays reflecting folk life such as 'Xiao Guo Nian' (The Small New Year), 'Shuan Wa Wa' (Tying the Baby) and 'Shuai Fangche' (Toppling the Spinning Wheel), as well as large plays transplanted from bangzi opera such as 'Quan Zhongxiao' (Complete Loyalty and Filial Piety) and 'Wu Yudai' (Black Jade Belt).
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
Under the influence of different local dialects and folk arts, Hahaqiang gradually formed three branches with different artistic styles and musical characteristics. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, a professional Hahaqiang troupe was established in Qingyuan County, Hebei Province, which played an important part in enriching the cultural and entertainment life of the local people and in publicising the lines and policies of the Party and the government.
Other submitting regions for the same item: Hahaqiang.
04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
At present, because most of the older artists of high attainment are already advanced in age and few successors are coming forward to take over, Hahaqiang is in an endangered condition and urgently needs to be promoted and protected. Qiu Yinchang (official file record of the associated inheritor): Male, Han nationality, born in 1944, native of Tangshan, Hebei Province. Qiu Yinchang studied in the three-year course in folk music at the Tianjin Conservatory of Music in his early years, and after graduation was assigned to work at the Hebei Provincial Broadcasting and Arts Troupe. In 1962 he was transferred to the Hahaqiang Troupe of Qingyuan County, Baoding City, Hebei Province, where he researched and created Hahaqiang, and he later served as head of the Hahaqiang Troupe of Qingyuan County. The vocal music he composed is rich in local colour and of high artistic value. Representative works include 'Yujiu Meixiang' (The Imperial Wine Buried in Fragrance). Representative inheritor of Hahaqiang of the second national-level batch of intangible cultural heritage projects; national first-class composer. Wang Lanrong (official file record of the associated inheritor): Female, Han nationality, born in 1957, native of Qingyuan, Hebei Province. Wang Lanrong is now head of the Hahaqiang Troupe of Qingyuan County, Hebei Province. Her vocal style is marked by strength and vigour and is renowned for its subtlety, combining the hard and the soft; in vocal style, metre, melodic treatment and physical performance she has broken through beyond her predecessors. Representative works include 'Qin Xianglian' and 'Baolian Deng' (The Lotus Lantern). Representative inheritor of Hahaqiang of the second national-level batch of intangible cultural heritage projects; national third-class director.
05 · Associated Representative Bearers
Representative bearers recorded under this item, organized by national nomination batch:
- Qiu Yinchang 02-0608
- Wang Lanrong 02-0609
- Liu Zongfa 02-0610
06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography
Sources
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)
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