CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- There is an over 100-year-old folk Hanhao (a Chinese musical instrument) team consisted of 2 Hanhao players, 6 suona players and other performers who play gongs and drum, cymbal and Maluozi (a Chinese musical instrument) at Lujiagang, Miaoxi Village, Miaoxi Township, Youyang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, Chongqing Municipality.

The suona made by villagers in person

Lu Ying, team leader, said that Hanhao, also known as Guoshanhao (过山号), Dahao (大号) and Manghao (莽号), has a deep and powerful sound which can be spreaded far away. Villagers here quite love it with the sound of suona and percussion instruments. All instruments of Hanhao team are handmade by Lujiagang folk craftsmen. The tones of Hanhao are divided into sipingtou (四平头), yingsansheng (硬三声), shiersheng (十二声) and others, which is decided according to scenes such as celebrations, sacrifices and vows.

A player practicing Hanhao

The performance “Yingsansheng” (All pictures taken by He Yi)

Every year, the Hanhao team who has unique style of tune is invited to play in Guizhou, Hunan and the areas adjacent to Chongqing. These handmade instruments are prepared to apply for the municipal intangible cultural heritage project. (Translated by Jiang Yuling, Fathom Language Limited)