Year: 2006

Sort: Quyi

Area: Shanxi Province

Serial No.: V-9

Declarer: Changzhi, Shanxi Province

Lu'an Dagu, which is full of distinct regional features from northern China, is a form of music played with a small drum and other instruments.

It got its name because of its prevalence in the Lu'an region. The Lu'an Dagu was formed during mid-Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) at the latest. In early times, the performers were blind men, then gradually other healthy people jointed the performance and in 1950s some women began to perform Lu'an Dagu.

When playing Lu'an Dagu, several singers play the small drum, the san xian (a three-stringed plucked instrument), the fiddle and other instruments separately, then one performs accompanied by a small drum on a higher stage.

Since the end of the 20th century, the popularity of the Lu'an Dagu has been in decline. It needs urgent protection.