National ICH: Changting suona playing

Changting suona playing is popular in Changting county, Longyan city, Fujian province and is said to have a history dating back over a thousand years (historically documented for over 600 years). It is recognized as an extended national intangible cultural heritage item in the traditional music category.

Changting suona playing features main "gong" and "ma" performances by a pair of suona horns, accompanied by various string and percussion instruments to create ensemble music. In traditional performances, there are strict rules for the transitions between playing, with the "gong" playing leading to a certain musical phrase, followed by the "ma" playing.

Suona playing is a large-scale, traditional form of drum music of the Hakka people in Changting, with a structure similar to operatic singing styles.

Instrumentation mainly consists of a pair of high and low-pitched suona horns, playing in duet and harmony. The high-pitched suona, known as "gong" playing, produces short and delicate sounds, while the low-pitched suona, known as "ma" playing, produces long and coarse sounds. During performances, the two sounds create a dialogue and supportive relationship.

The musical style of Changting suona playing is characterized by its simplicity, sincerity, and lyrical beauty. The melodies, with their question-and-answer format, convey a sense of sorrow and emotion, evoking strong appreciation among audiences. The playing is intertwined with Hakka folk activities and has become an integral part of Hakka traditional customs.