The lively and exciting Chenguan-style flowery drum dance originates from Chenguan, a township in Dongying's Guangrao county. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The Chenguan-style flowery drum dance, or Chenguan duansuan huagu– also known as dahuagu or yanggegu – used to be the livelihood of wandering performers in days gone by.
It thrived for more than a century in Guangrao county in Dongying city – in East China's Shandong province – especially in Chenguan township and it has been designated as a national intangible cultural heritage item.
There are more than 40 drumming routines. The performer usually beats the drum with the tassels hanging from the drumsticks while dancing, with accompanying strikes of small cymbals by another performer.
The dance movements are bold and unrestrained, full of power and passion. The performers rotate their dance steps with the tassels flipping up and down, demonstrating their skills and creating strong artistic appeal.
