Editor’s note:

Intangible Cultural Heritage carries the cultural memories of the people, encapsulating their history and the paths that they have taken. Each type of intangible cultural heritage creates a unique method for local culture to be transmitted both outwardly as well as down through time. June 11 is China’s Cultural and Natural Heritage Day. In order to better protect, pass on, and make good use of Hainan’s intangible cultural heritage, as well as promote China’s outstanding traditional culture and assist in the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port’s cultural industry, the Hainan International Media Center and the Hainan International Communication Network have put together a special series called Intangible Hainan. The series brings the audience a deeper understanding of Hainan’s Intangible Cultural Heritage through the eyes of Russian Overseas Communication Officer Inira Baiburina. Join her as she experiences the unique charm of Hainan’s intangible cultural heritage. 

The Firewood Dance is one of the oldest forms of dance within the Li culture. Referred to as “Zhuansha” or “Taisha” by the Li people, the Firewood Dance was originally a form of ritual dance that over time has gradually evolved into highly characteristic social activity among the Li.

The Firewood Dance is not set to music, the strong rhythms of the dance originate from the heavy-set wooden poles which are moved up and down, left and right and together and apart, forcefully striking each other and the ground in the process. The dancers leap around between the poles as they move. The pole-movers and the dancers work in concert and must remain highly focused and in-tune with each other to execute the bold dance moves which require great physical agility.
 

Thousands of years of Li people's cultural history are encapsulated within this unique dance form. The dance itself comprises of nine contrasting steps, including the Flat Step, the Hewing Step, the Rice Sifting Step and the Monkey Stealing Grain Step. These steps are all representations of activities performed or witnessed during the Li people’s daily life.
 

Great efforts have been taken to ensure the preservation and development of the Firewood Dance by people such as Huang Leqiang, who teaches villagers how to perform the dance, as well as organizes events to show off and actively promote this artform, allowing others to experience its delights. Thanks to the hard work of these ‘torchbearers’, the flame of Firewood Dance and the cultural heritage it represents will continue to burn brightly.