Musical evolution and community-based education for the protection of Haicai Qiang Chinese folk songs

Kaiyue Zheng and Warakorn Seeyo

African Educational Research Journal
Published: March 10 2026
Volume 14, Issue 1
Pages 200-207
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18956095

Abstract

This study examines the musical evolution and protection strategies for Haicai Qiang, a sophisticated vocal art form of the Yi ethnic minority in Shiping County, Yunnan Province. As a National Intangible Cultural Heritage item, Haicai Qiang faces an imminent crisis due to rapid modernization, rural-to-urban migration, and an aging practitioner demographic. The research was conducted to develop a sustainable, community-based educational model that bridges the gap between ancient oral traditions and modern institutionalized learning. Through a qualitative ethnomusicological approach involving longitudinal fieldwork in Longpeng Town from 2024 to 2026, the study utilized participant observation and stratified interviews with heritage inheritors, stakeholders, and youth. Findings reveal a significant Great Shift in the genre, moving from spontaneous labor-based environments to structured stage and classroom settings. This transition has led to a professionalization of the music, where traditional improvisational trills and heterophonic textures are being replaced by standardized melodies and fixed rhythms. The study concludes that while formal school integration (the Campus Classroom) provides structural stability, it lacks the authentic spirit of the tradition. These findings are vital for policymakers and educators, as they provide a strategic roadmap for a multi-tiered heritage ecosystem. By integrating digital media, formal schooling, and community-led practice, this model ensures that Haicai Qiang remains a living, vibrant cultural expression rather than a static museum relic.

Keywords: Haicai Qiang, Yi ethnic minority, intangible cultural heritage, community-based education, ethnomusicology.

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