Fujian ICH: She Novel Song

The She ethnic group's "Novel Songs" are popular in the mountainous regions of Fujian and Zhejiang provinces and have been recognized as a national-level intangible cultural heritage item in the category of folk literature.

The She people possess a spoken language but no written script. It is their tradition to express emotions and convey ideas through songs, a practice they refer to as "song speech". "Novel Songs" are a type of the "song speech".

Originating from Bailukeng village in Xinan town, Xiapu county, Fujian, these songs trace their roots back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Initially, literate She singers adapted Han Chinese chapter novels, storytelling scripts, folk operas, and narrative art into She mountain song scripts, creatively integrating the linguistic characteristics of the She language.

"Novel Songs" are long narrative songs distinct from the She people's other traditional music. They represent a unique literary form and cultural medium created by the She community.

Rich in content and diverse in form, these songs are characterized by their clear language, harmonious melodies, straightforward narrative, and genuine expression, without relying on allusions or exaggerations.

They blend narration, object description, and lyricism, embodying the essence of She ballads. "Novel Songs" serve not only as a living textbook for the She people but also as the most representative cultural expression of the She ethnic group and one of the most distinctive art forms in the Mindong region. They hold a significant place in the cultural and literary history of the She people, having played a key role in the development of She culture.