It is majestic and has boundless vigor, integrating dance, song, wushu, gymnastics, and ballad into a whole. The changeable procession is powerful and vigorous, bold and unrestrained. The atmosphere and rhythm are lively and enthusiastic.
In 1996, Ansai County was named 'the hometown of the Chinese waist drum'. Today, the Ansai Waist Drum dance has become a recreational activity for villagers to pray for good weather for crops and a happy life. In winter, the dance can help ward off the cold. It can also be found in many ceremonies of important events or festivals.
Ⅰ Origin
As one story goes, in the Qin (221-206BC) and Han (206BC-220AD) dynasties when Ansai was a fort on the frontier, waist drums were delivered to every soldier stationed there along with weapons. They were used to sound alarms when enemies waged sudden attacks, convey military intelligence, boost morale on the battlefield, and celebrate victories. Used especially by the cavalry, the drums accompanied the rhythm of the horse's hooves as soldiers screamed battle cries as they advanced.
Later, the Ansai Waist Drum evolved into a form of folk dance, in which people prayed for godly blessings and good harvests.
Another view is that the drum dance originated from ancient ancestor worship rituals or other religious activities to greet gods or dispel evil spirits during theSpring and Autumn Period(770-476BC). Gradually, Shaanxi villagers used the drum dance to pray for good weather, a successful harvest and a happy life.
Ⅱ Ways of Performing
The Ansai Waist Drum dance is an extremely impressive spectacle that consists of vigorous dances and leaps accompanied by frenetic drumming.
Wearing a white towel tied around their heads and dressed in lace suits, the dancers look brilliant and impressive. They brandish drumsticks decorated with red silk-ribbons and beat drums that are tied to their waists while dancing with joy.
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