THE CULTURAL ACCOMMODATION DIMENSION OF THE MANCHU MUSICAL IDENTITY IN NORTHEASTERN CHINA

Abstract

The objective of this research is to study the musical identity of Manchu music in Northeastern China and analyze its cultural accommodation dimension through historical documentation, fieldwork in Manchu autonomous regions, and interdisciplinary approaches integrating musicology, ethnology, and cultural studies. This encompasses examining structural characteristics such as pentatonic scales, shamanic drum rhythms like "Lao Sandian," and instruments including the octagonal drum and waist bells, alongside cultural functions in rituals and communal cohesion. The research also traces historical adaptation from ancient Sushen hunting chants to Qing dynasty court music and modern transformations, interethnic fusion with Han, Mongolian, and Korean traditions, and contemporary heritage transmission challenges. It was discovered that Manchu musical identity persists through a balance of indigenous elements, such as ritual drumming and narrative folk songs, with adaptive innovations like the integration of Han pentatonic scales and Mongolian instrumental techniques. Cultural accommodation enhances ethnic identity through four evolutionary phases: primitive integration, formative fusion, imperial synthesis, and modern revival-enabling resilience against assimilation pressures. Modern challenges, including urbanization, Manchu language decline, and fading transmission, are countered by digital archiving, community workshops, and educational initiatives in regions like Xinbin and Sanjiazi Village. Ultimately, cultural accommodation functions as a vital mechanism for musical survival, allowing Manchu traditions to enrich Northeastern China's multicultural tapestry while maintaining core spiritual symbolism and ethnic distinctiveness through dynamic interaction with external influences. These findings underscore music's role in negotiating continuity and innovation within China's intangible cultural heritage framework.

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