Cheguzhen (tshia-kóo-tīn) is a kind of musical acrobatics, being In popular in Minnan region(Southern Fujian) and Taiwan.[1]: 7  In Taiwanese, “tshia” means flipping or dancing. In 2021, Cheguzhen was registered as an intangible cultural heritage in the category of traditional performing arts in Changhua County.[2]

Performing Form

edit

Cheguzhen in Taiwan is mostly popular in the south, performed by the duo of dan (female) role and chou (clown) role. The chou role is funny and humorous, while the dan role behaves in a coquet manner. There are ancient and modern costumes, sometimes the costumes are dressed in a mixed style. Regardless of which costumes, the chou role always has a percussion instrument called “Si Kuai” (like a clapper), and the dan role holds colorful fan and silk scarf.[3][4]

The music used in Cheguhen performances, in terms of the singing, traditionally includes nanguan music compositions and folk songs. The common instruments employed are kezaixian, daguangxian, yueqin, and the flute, collectively referred to as the “Si Kuan Chuan” (literal meaning: the complete four Instruments).[5]

Performances of Cheguzhen are more prevalent in southern Taiwan, especially in Kaohsiung City, Tainan City, and Pingtung County.[6] In 2005, there were 26 Cheguhen troupes in Tainan, distributed across 15 townships, such as Baihe, Dongshan, Xinying, Liujia, Xuejia, Madou, Jiali, Xigang, etc.[7]: 222 

In 2021, the Changhua County Government registered Cheguzhen as an intangible cultural heritage in the category of traditional performing arts in Changhua County due to its artistic value, unique historical background, distinctive styles, and its significant reflection of the aesthetics of local communities and regions. The preserver of this tradition in Changhua County is Shih Chao-yang.[2][8]

References

edit
  1. ^ 姚, 杏芝. 臺灣恆春半島車鼓弄的發展研究. p. 11.
  2. ^ a b "文化部文化資產局--國家文化資產網". nchdb.boch.gov.tw. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  3. ^ "臺南市藝陣資源網 | 臺南藝陣 | 藝陣類別 | 車鼓陣 |". tnyj.tnc.gov.tw (in Chinese). Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  4. ^ "車鼓戲". nrch.culture.tw (in Chinese). Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  5. ^ 黃玲玉. "臺灣南管系統之文陣" (PDF) (in Chinese). Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  6. ^ "車鼓陣源流|傳統雜技主題知識網". acrobatic.ncfta.gov.tw (in Chinese). Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  7. ^ 施, 德玉 (2005). 台南縣車鼓竹馬之研究. 宜蘭縣: 國立傳統藝術中心. p. 222. ISBN 986-00-3564-4.
  8. ^ 自由時報電子報 (2021-01-10). "迎燈民俗慶典「車鼓陣」 登錄傳統表演藝術 - 生活 - 自由時報電子報". news.ltn.com.tw (in Chinese). Retrieved 2023-09-06.