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Nuo Dance

“Nuo” Dance is one of the oldest Chinese traditional dances. In the primitive society, during work breaks, people gathered together to entertain themselves by imitating the fight of human beings against beasts, which actually was part of their daily life. On this basis, “Nuo” Dance came into being. Later on, it developed into a kind of dance to drive away the evils and epidemics in praying and memorial ceremonies and its action and singing became more complicated. According to “The Book of Rites”, on New Year’s Eve, grand “Nuo” Dance was performed in the royal court of the Zhou Dynasty. The leader of the dancers, called “fangxiang” would wear black jacket, red pants, and gloves made of bear furs and with a spear and a shield in hand. They would dance around to drive away the evils. In the Han Dynasty, “Nuo” Dance was performed at the end of the year, 120 young men were chosen as the dancers. They would chant evil-driving words, dance around the royal court three rounds, and then drive away the evils out of the palace gates with lighted torches. “Nuo” Dance is also performed for amusements. With “Nuo” Dance as its origin, combined with legends, “Nuo Opera” was developed. The performers at ill wear masks and their performances remain simple and unconstrained. It is popular in Hunan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangxi and other areas.

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