Xiadiyana Dance
( 2005-09-13 )

A Uygur group dance at festivals and grand gatherings,Xiadiyanais popular throughout Northwest China'sXinjiangUygur Autonomous Region, particularly in southern Xinjiang.

Xiadiyana means "joy" in the Uygur language means joy. At every New Year or other festival, Uygurs like to gather together and dance to the accompaniment of suona horns and iron drums.Xiadiyanais the joyous finale. People also danceXiadiyanain other celebrations, so it is called the joyful dance.

Xiadiyana, characterized by light movements and unconventional formations, is free and lively in form with no limit as to number of participants. Everybody dances freely according to his or her own inclination, hopping lightly on alternate feet. The hand movements are also very simple. Usually the dancers raise their arms high and revolve their palms quickly.

The melodies forXiadiyanavary in length and may be repeated freely according to the occasion. The music in Kashi (county) is joyous and grand; in Maikeiti (county), forceful and deep like march music.

The choice of instruments is not strict as to type and number. Short and long suona horns, pairs of iron drums with different tones, and large and small tambourines create a lively sound, but the music produced by stringed instruments and tambourines is no less thrilling. The drumbeat is versatile. People usually judge the skill of a drummer by his performance inXiadiyana.