Ethnomusicological Perspectives on Chinese Liu Dong Songs of the Dong Nian Festival

Background and Aims: The Dong Nian Festival, celebrated annually by the Dong ethnic group in Zhaoxing Village, Guizhou Province, is a culturally significant event that showcases the community’s musical heritage, particularly through Liu Dong songs. This study aims to investigate Chinese Liu Dong songs performed during the Dong Nian Festival through an ethnomusicological approach. Methodology: Employing a qualitative ethnomusicological approach, fieldwork was conducted during the 2023–2024 Dong Nian Festival in Zhaoxing Village. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with nine informants, participant observation, and audiovisual documentation. Analysis focused on song development, performance formats, identity expression, and preservation strategies. Results: Liu Dong’s songs reflect three historical phases: Origin, Maturity, and Steady Development, each linked to evolving cultural contexts. Performance formats include traditional choruses, competitive events, and educational rehearsals, all contributing uniquely to cultural transmission and community cohesion. The songs articulate themes of romantic longing, ancestral reverence, and gender harmony, conveyed through falsetto singing and pipa accompaniment. Preservation efforts spanning school curricula, youth workshops, and digital platforms highlight opportunities and tensions between performative and essentialist authenticity. Conclusion: Liu Dong’s songs are essential to preserving Dong ethnic identity and enabling intergenerational cultural dialogue. Ethnomusicological analysis reveals their enduring relevance and potential as a model for sustainable intangible heritage preservation in rapidly changing societies.