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The laid-back vibe of Yunnan people in folk music

云南人的松弛感在民乐里

“A crab has eight legs, with two claws raised to the Alongside traditional performance styles, modern experiences of modern individuals. The band's drummer,
sky...” Recently, the song “Crabs,” performed by a choir musicians in Yunnan are continually exploring new Xiao Ou, explained, “Many traditional music forms are not
in Yuxi City, Yunnan Province, has gone viral. The blend horizons for folk music. The band Shanren, formed in widely disseminated because they seem disconnected from
of local dialect and the adorable voices of children has Yunnan, features members from the Han, Yi, and Hani modern life. When contemporary listeners hear this music,
prompted countless netizens to proclaim, “Yunnan people ethnic groups, as well as a British member who speaks the they often find it lacks relevance. However, much of what
are making their musical debut!” Yunnan dialect. The name “Shanren” translates to “hermits we’re doing involves infusing these traditional elements
“Crabs” is a widely popular folk song, featuring unique of the mountains,” and the band’s style is characterized by a with new energy, creating a bridge to the modern world and
renditions across different regions of China. The choir’s free, humorous, joyful, and self-deprecating vibe, exuding a making it easier for people today to connect with them.”
instructor, Pu Hailan, selected the Yunnan dialect version relaxed and infectious energy. In Yunnan, folk music serves as a bridge that connects
of “Crabs” because she believes, “Singing in the Yunnan Heavily influenced by Yunnan's rich ethnic culture, the the past with the future, offering a sense of tranquility and
dialect has a special charm. I want the children to appreciate band Shanren blends ethnic instruments and folk tunes with harmony that resonates even amidst our busy urban lives.
folk songs and experience the beauty of their dialect.” modern musical elements. They present traditional art forms This relaxing quality of Yunnan’s folk music has evolved into
In the villages of Yunnan, during festivals and joyful in a contemporary manner, bridging the gap between folk a unique cultural symbol. Regardless of outside opinions,
celebrations, villagers come together to play the instruments music and its audience. This approach transcends language, the people here focus on what truly matters; when they feel
they are skilled at. The Dai people’s hulusi (cucurbit flute), cultural, and generational differences, enabling more people joy, they instinctively want to sing and play instruments—
the Bai people’s dragon-head sanxian, and the Achang to forge a closer connection to nature, which has earned this is their most authentic form of emotional expression.
people’s elephant-foot drum—all these ethnic instruments them numerous accolades at the music festival. Whether during festive celebrations with thousands of
tell their own stories and express the emotions of their Their song “Thirty Years Later” is inspired by the folk revelers, at lively banquets, or in casual leisure moments, as
cultures. This music doesn’t require a grand stage; it arises melodies of the Lisu ethnic group and features various long as the atmosphere is right, people join hands, form a
from daily life and returns to it, reflecting the authentic traditional Yunnan instruments. While it sounds like a circle, and joyfully dance in a clockwise direction, singing
inner world of the Yunnan people. duet of mountain songs, the lyrics actually depict the life cheerful songs without needing to know each other’s names.