Monday, May 5, 2014

Guangchang Meng Opera

 
Meng Jiangnv Crying Bitterly over the Death of Her Husbandat during the Construction the Great Wall
The Guangchang Meng Opera, dating back to the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), features the legend of Mengjiang Crying at the Great Wall. It was popular in Guangchang county, Jiangxi province and is over 500 years old.
The legend has it that 2,000 years ago, during the construction of the Great Wall, a young man called Fan Xiliang was forced to work on the massive project -- even on his wedding day. Before Fan went away, his bride, a girl named Meng Jiangnu, broke her white jade hair pin in two, giving her husband half as a token of her love.
Meng waited for her husband for five years without a word from him. One night, Meng dreamed that her husband was yelling, "Cold, cold!" Remembering that Fan went away wearing very thin clothes, Meng made some padded clothing and set off alone to look for him.
After crossing many mountains and rivers on foot, Meng finally reached the construction site of the Great Wall where she was told her husband had died and was buried under the Great Wall.
Hearing this, Meng sat at the foot of the Great Wall and started crying. She cried day and night and her wailing finally made the Wall come down, revealing her husband's bones. This made the emperor Qin Shihuang very angry, and he ordered Meng to be punished.
But when he saw the young lady, he was struck by her beauty and asked her to marry him. Having no choice, Meng agreed under the condition that her Fan received a proper burial.
After the funeral, when Meng and the emperor went on a trip to the Bohai Sea, Meng realized that she simply could not marry the tyrant who had killed her beloved husband. Unseen by the guards, Meng jumped into the sea.
The Guangchang Meng Opera had three genres. The Zeng and Liu genres are still performed now. The Meng Opera is now only performed once during the first month of the lunar calendar. The Guangchang Meng Opera aria is in high pitched music, a singing style characterized by the very high, forceful falsetto in which it is sung.
The Zeng and Liu Meng Opera genres provide precious materials for the study of Chinese Opera and folk customs, and are valuable in terms of art and sociology.

Nuo culture of jiangxi

 

Nuo culture
The Nuo opera

Nuo, also called the "Nuo sacrifice" or "Nuo ceremony," was originally a type of sacrificial and magical ritual held to expel evil spirits and pestilence. Its name is derived from one of such rituals, where people shouted "nuo, nuo" to drive away the devil.
Nuo culture is composed of Nuo Temple, Nuo dance, Nuo mask, Nuo opera, Nuo symbol and Nuo weapon, etc, related to anthropology, folklore, religion and drama.
Jiangxi province is a cradle of Nuo operas, which are also staged in some southern and southwestern provinces and autonomous regions. Jiangxi's Nuo, also called Gan Nuo, began from the early Han Dynasty. Gan Nuo integrally preserves the original Nuo rituals in ancient times.
Nuo temple, Nuo mask, Nuo ritual and Nuo opera form the Nuo culture groups with distinct Jiangxi local characteristics. After thousands of years, Nuo performances are still very popular as a folk custom. According to the statistical data in 1995, 25 counties (cities) had Nuo performances; and 247 Nuo dances and Nuoxi shows were still remaining in the whole province.
Jiangxi Nuo is honored the “living fossil” of ancient culture by academe and was invited several times to France, Japan, Korea, Singapore and other countries and regions for performance and communication.
Nuo dance

Nuo culture
Jiangxi Nuo dance

The Nuo dance was originally performed during the 12th lunar month to drive away evil spirits and pray for a harvest during ancient times. The Nuo ceremony was first recorded on bones and tortoise shells during the Shang Dynasty (16th - 17th century BC), and flourished in the Zhou Dynasty (11th century – 256 BC). As the number of its participants increased from 100 to 1,000, the ceremony became more and more magnificent. At the time, besides the grand Nuo ceremony held by the royal court, the folk Nuo ceremony also appeared in the countryside.
Evolving over centuries, the content and technique of Nuo dance grow richer. Yet with the development of science and technology, Nuo dance has gradually become more of a recreation than a ritual. In recent decades, the ceremony is more a theatrical performance for entertainment and expresses farmers' longing for good weather, bumper harvest and family prosperity.
Nowadays, the Nuo dance drama still prevails in a number of Chinese provinces, including Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Guizhou, Anhui, Shandong and Hebei.
Nuo mask




Nuo culture


The Nuo masks
The main characters in the dance dramas all wear vivid, lifelike, wooden masks, featuring the distinctive folk styles of the Yellow River Valley.
The masks play a very important role. During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, when the sacrifice was prevalent, the emcee of the ritual wore a golden mask with four eyes to frighten away ghosts and devils.
In Nuo drama performances, masks are the most important prop and a major characteristic that distinguishes this drama from the others.
Each Nuo mask has a fixed name, represents a certain role and has legendary stories to tell about its origins.
The masks can appear valiant and martial, stern and tough, or gentle and kind, and they come in various styles to represent different figures. For instance, since the responsibility of valiant gods is to emit awe and dispel ghosts and devils, their masks usually have horns and buckteeth, with a very ferocious countenance.
Nuo masks are the result of primitive religion and totem worship. From sun, to earth, to deity worship, Nuo performances reveal the secrets of the evolution of ancient societies. After thousands of years of evolution, some heroic figures in history were deified and became the incarnation of kindness, bravery and justice. Thus, Nuo masks became richer and more loved by ordinary people.

Jiangxi cuisine


 

Like the cuisines of neighboring provinces, Jiangxi cuisine favors overtly spicy flavors.

Jiangxi Cuisine, also known as Gan Cuisine, was derived from the native cooking styles of the Jiangxi province and formed the unique native cuisine with a long history. Like the cuisines of neighboring provinces, Jiangxi cuisine favors overtly spicy flavors; in many regions of the provinces, chili peppers are directly used as vegetable instead of as a flavoring, as in most other Chinese regional cuisines. 

Another characteristic of Jiangxi cuisine is that there are rarely any cold dishes or anything served raw in contrast to other Chinese cuisines. The reason is: tea oil is the primary cooking oil used in Jiangxi cuisine, if the raw tea oil is consumed uncooked, it would cause severe stomach problems for most people.

Jiangxi Cuisine is famed for freshwater fish banquets and the heavy utilization of douchi (fermented black beans) and tofu. Fried tofu is a must for everyone during the celebration of Chinese New Year.

Moreover, there are various kinds of Jiangxi local snacks and pastries cooked by different methods, all of which have their own characteristics.

Due to the spiciness, the dishes are close to Hunan and Sichuan dishes. However, Jiangxi dishes focus mainly on the cooking processes. In terms of cutting skills, there are eighteen varieties and three categories in total. The sliced materials should be equal in length and thickness and the raw materials blended to enhance the nutritional value and medicinal herbs included where possible.

High protein and low fat are major considerations for ingredient selection and flour or starch is used when thickening. Seasoning and cooking timing are also of vital importance.
After the dishes are cooked, fine cutleries are selected to improve the overall shape of the finished dishes. Meanwhile, trays of irregular shapes might be utilized to emphasize the theme so as to stimulate the guests’ appetite.

There are the detailed sequences with which to serve the dishes all containing corresponding scientific theories. For instance, hot dishes are normally served after cold ones, strong tasting dishes after light and sweet after salty.

Famous Jiangxi dishes are Stewed Chicken with Three Cups of Sauce (Sanbei Zaiji, 三杯仔鸡), Steamed Streaky Pork with Soy Sauce and Cooking Wine (Xiang Zhi Rou, 香质肉) , Braised Pork with Bamboo Shoots (Dongsun Ganshao Rou, 冬笋干烧肉), Sautéed Preserved Pork with Artemisia Selengensis Turcz (Lihao Chao Larou, 藜蒿炒腊肉), Steamed Streaky Pork and Spare Ribs with Glutinous Rice Flour (Yuanlong Chuanban Rou, 原笼船板肉), Braised Shredded Herring (Xunyang Yupian, 浔阳鱼片) , Deep Fried Frog (Zha Shi Ji, 炸石鸡) , Steamed Deep Fried Tofu with Meat Fillings (Xingguo Doufu, 兴国豆腐) , Steamed Beef with Rice Flour (Mifen Niurou, 米粉牛肉) , Boiled Wonton and Noodles (Jinxian Diao Hulu, 金线吊葫芦), Steamed Daikon Dumplings with Pork and Fish (Xinfeng Luobo Jiao, 信丰萝卜饺), Zhangshu Wonton (Zhangshu Baomian, 樟树包面) , Huangyuan Glutinous Rice Cake (Huangyuan Miguo, 黄元米果).

Climate of Jiangxi




Jiangxi has a warm and humid climate with cold springs and winters, hot summers and dry autumns thus accounting for its four distinct seasons.

Located in the north of Tropic of Cancer, Jiangxi province is classed as a typical northern subtropical monsoon climatic region. The average temperature for a year is 18°C (64°F), in January it changes to 6°C (44°F), when it comes to July, it increase to 29°C (84°F).

In genera, Jiangxi province will start a rainy period in April; the most rainfall time is the May and June. After July, you will enjoy fine days, but the climate will change to hot and sunny weather quickly. As for October, the temperature begins to drop, and you will need a coat then.

The climate is always changing in spring and the temperature is not stable. Till mid summer, there is plenty of rain. From mid summer to early autumn, it is sunny, hot and dry. There is rare rainfall in winter.

Nanchang, the capital city of Jiangxi province, has four distinct seasons. The summer is very hot,as one of the “Four Stovepipes In China”, you can imagine the temperature in Nanchang. As a result, you can choose spring and autumn as your travel time. What you will enjoy is abundant sunshine and the annual average temperature is 18°C (64.4°F), with the maximum temperature reaching 41°C (106°F) and the lowest temperature to -15°C (5°F). The range of temperature is very big.

Different from Nanchang, summer is the best time to visit Lushan Mountain as the weather is very comfortable and the scenery at its best. It usually has a big difference in temperature from mountain foot to the mountain top. So Lushan Mountain is a good place to avoid the hot weather.

General introduction to Jiangxi province

 



General introduction to Jiangxi province

Loaction of Jiangxi within China
Jiangxi province is situated in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. It borders Zhejiang and Fujian provinces to the east, Guangdong to the south, Hunan to the west, and Hubei and Anhui to the north. It covers an area of 1,669,000 square kilometers (644,440 square miles) with a population of about 40 million.
Mountains surround Jiangxi province on three sides. The southern half of the province is hilly with ranges and valleys interspersed; while the northern half is flatter and lower in altitude. The highest point in Jiangxi is Huanggang Mountain in the Wuyi Mountains, on the border with Fujian province. It has an altitude of 2,157 meters.
The Gan River dominates the province, flowing through the entire length of the province from south to north. It enters Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake of China, in the north.
Nanchang, the region's capital and the most densely populated city, is one of China's largest metropolises. It’s the hub of Jiangxi civilization throughout its history, which plays a leading role in the commercial, intellectual and industrial and political fields. Ganzhou city is the largest subdivision of Jiangxi province.
Climate: Jiangxi has a warm and humid climate with cold springs and winters, hot summers and dry autumns thus accounting for its four distinct seasons. Annual rainfall averages 1,400-1,800 millimeters and the average temperature of the province is 3-9℃ in January and 27-31℃ in July.
Brief history: The name "Jiangxi" derives from the circuit administrated under the Tang Dynasty in AD 733, Jiangnan Xidao. Circuits were established during the Tang Dynasty as a new top-level administrative division. Because the Gan River runs through this province from north to south, it is also called Gan for short.
The history of Jiangxi stretches from Lower Paleolithic times to the present, as Jiangxi was already inhabited by humans one million years ago. The first recorded people inhabited in Jiangxi are Baiyue and their influence is still found in nowadays Gan language.
Centered on the Gan River valley, Jiangxi provides the main transport route from the North China Plain and the Yangzi River valley to the territory of modern Guangdong province. As a result, Jiangxi has been strategically important throughout much of its history.
Tourism: If you are a traveler looking for a place that will give you a variety of interesting options, then Jiangxi province in southern China is definitely the place for you! The pristine beauty of its misty mountains and fresh water lakes will enchant you. Its modern as well as ancient Chinese historical sites will whet your appetite for learning about its culture.
Jiangxi province is a showcase for natural beauty. Tourists will find it hard to leave its beautiful mountains, lakes and rivers. Particularly attractive is Poyang Lake, which is not only the biggest fresh water lake in China, but also the largest winter habitat for white cranes. When winter approaches, about 2,800 white cranes will migrate to Poyang Lake to spend their winter. What a spectacular sight!

General introduction to Jiangxi province
Poyang Lake is the biggest fresh water lake in China and the largest winter habitat for white cranes.

On the east side of Poyang Lake is Lushan Mountain, a wonderful summer resort with its lush mountains, enveloping clouds and mists, rapid streams and numerous deep pools and waterfalls. Mysterious and enchanting sceneries nestle in its secluded valleys and deep ravines. Su Dongpo, a well-known poet of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), in honor of the 'Cloud Sea' of Lushan Mountain for its ever-changing mist, wrote, 'the failure to get a real perspective of the mountain only results in the fact that you are right in the midst of it'. The Lushan National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

General introduction to Jiangxi province
The Hanpo Valley on Lushan Mountain in Jiujiang city

Another mountain -- Jinggang Mountain enjoys a dual reputation. It is more widely known as the cradle of the Chinese revolution rather than for its natural beauty, which is, in fact, comparable to the more famous Lushan Mountain.
The historical sites of Jiangxi province also attract guests from all corners of the world.
To top it off, 'China's Capital of Porcelain'—Jingdezhen—is located here, thus satisfying the shopper in us all. Ceramics were produced here as early as 1,800 years ago in the Eastern Han Dynasty. Today, Jingdezhen remains a national center for porcelain production. While in this ancient town, tourists can visit many pottery factories and ancient kiln sites. They can also handmake porcelains themselves.

General introduction to Jiangxi province
Jingdezhen is deemded 'China's Capital of Porcelain'. While in this ancient town, tourists can visit many pottery factories and ancient kiln sites. They can also handmake porcelains themselves.

Tengwang Pavilion is located just west of the provincial capital Nanchang and is one of the three famous pavilions south of the Yangtze River. This pavilion gained its reputation to a great extent because of a well-known poem called 'Preface to Tengwang Pavilion' by Wang Bo, a reputable poet of the Tang Dynasty.
Donglin Monastery is located at the foot of Lushan Mountain. It was built in 386 BC for the monk Hui Yuan (334-416), founder of the Pure Land sect of Buddhism. Hui Yuan spent many years translating Buddhist scriptures in this temple.
In addition, Jiangxi is one of the ancient tea-producing areas in China. The Black Tea produced in Ningzhou city and the Green Tea produced in Wuyuan city are well-known throughout China.

General introduction to Jiangxi province
Tengwang Pavilion west of the provincial capital Nanchang

Chinese Jingdezhen porcelain exhibition held in Santo Domingo, Dominica



A woman visits the Chinese Jingdezhen porcelain exhibition held in Santo Domingo, Dominica, July 18, 2011. More than 2,000 pieces of Chinese porcelain were displayed at the month long Chinese Jingdezhen porcelain exhibition that was opened on Monday in Santo Domingo. (Xinhua/Liu Guoqiang)


The Chinese Jingdezhen porcelain exhibition is held in Santo Domingo, Dominica, July 18, 2011. More than 2,000 pieces of Chinese porcelain were displayed at the month long Chinese Jingdezhen pottery and porcelain exhibition that was opened on Monday in Santo Domingo. (Xinhua/Liu Guoqiang)



People visit the Chinese Jingdezhen porcelain exhibition held in Santo Domingo, Dominica, July 18, 2011. More than 2,000 pieces of Chinese porcelain were displayed at the month long Chinese Jingdezhen porcelain exhibition that was opened on Monday in Santo Domingo. (Xinhua/Liu Guoqiang)



The Chinese Jingdezhen porcelain exhibition is held in Santo Domingo, Dominica, July 18, 2011. More than 2,000 pieces of Chinese porcelain were displayed at the month long Chinese Jingdezhen pottery and porcelain exhibition that was opened on Monday in Santo Domingo. (Xinhua/Liu Guoqiang)

Porcelain-making art in Jingdezhen to bid for intangible cultural heritage



Wei Jingou, an experienced porcelain craftsman, carries the semifinished products in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi province, July 14, 2011. Recently, the porcelain-making art in Jingdezhen has been under the stage of evaluation when applying for being listed into the United Nation's intangible cultural heritages. Known as the porcelain capital of China, Jingdezhen has a porcelain-making history of more than 1,000 years since Song Dynasty (960 to 1279). (Xinhua/Shi Weiming)



Wang Shenfang, an experienced porcelain craftsman, dries the semifinished products in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi province, Nov. 9, 2008. Recently, the porcelain-making art in Jingdezhen has been under the stage of evaluation when applying for being listed into the United Nation's intangible cultural heritages. Known as the porcelain capital of China, Jingdezhen has a porcelain-making history of more than 1,000 years since Song Dynasty (960 to 1279). (Xinhua/Shi Weiming) 



Wang Shenfang, an experienced porcelain craftsman, draws on the ceramic in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi province, Nov. 9, 2008. Recently, the porcelain-making art in Jingdezhen has been under the stage of evaluation when applying for being listed into the United Nation's intangible cultural heritages. Known as the porcelain capital of China, Jingdezhen has a porcelain-making history of more than 1,000 years since Song Dynasty (960 to 1279). (Xinhua/Shi Weiming)



Chen Shengfa, an experienced porcelain craftsman, makes a porcelain products in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi province, Nov. 9, 2008. Recently, the porcelain-making art in Jingdezhen has been under the stage of evaluation when applying for being listed into the United Nation's intangible cultural heritages. Known as the porcelain capital of China, Jingdezhen has a porcelain-making history of more than 1,000 years since Song Dynasty (960 to 1279). (Xinhua/Shi Weiming)



A gourd kiln of Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644) is seen in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi province, June 12, 2011. Recently, the porcelain-making art in Jingdezhen has been under the stage of evaluation when applying for being listed into the United Nation's intangible cultural heritages. Known as the porcelain capital of China, Jingdezhen has a porcelain-making history of more than 1,000 years since Song Dynasty (960 to 1279). (Xinhua/Shi Weiming)



Veteran craftsman Wei Jingou prepares clay in an old kiln in Jingdezhen city, east China's Jiangxi province, July 14, 2011. The famous Jingdezhen procelain art, boasting a history of over a thousand years, has been short listed for the United Nations Intangible Cultural Heritage, and was in the evaluation stage recently. (Xinhua/Shi Weiming)



Veteran craftsman Wang Yansheng does throwing on a potters' wheel in an old kiln in Jingdezhen city, east China's Jiangxi province, Sept. 26, 2009. The famous Jingdezhen procelain art, boasting a history of over a thousand years, has been short listed for the United Nations Intangible Cultural Heritage, and was in the evaluation stage recently. (Xinhua/Shi Weiming)


Veteran craftsman Wang Yansheng throws bowls from clay in an old kiln in Jingdezhen city, east China's Jiangxi province, Sept. 26, 2009. The famous Jingdezhen procelain art, boasting a history of over a thousand years, has been short listed for the United Nations Intangible Cultural Heritage, and was in the evaluation stage recently. (Xinhua/Shi Weiming)



Veteran craftsman Wang Shenfang draws designs on a blank procelain in an old kiln in Jingdezhen city, east China's Jiangxi province, July 14, 2011. The famous Jingdezhen procelain art, boasting a history of over a thousand years, has been short listed for the United Nations Intangible Cultural Heritage, and was in the evaluation stage recently. (Xinhua/Shi Weiming)