As one of the important origins of Lingnan culture, Foshan has many cultural symbols. The intangible cultural heritages in Foshan like the famous Cantonese opera, paper cutting, wood engraving pictures, Canton embroidery still shine brightly with the preservation of generations of inheritors after so many years.

From this January, Foshan News Network will present a new series of Foshan ICH • Charming Lingnan. Foshan national intangible cultural heritages will be introduced to people all over the world through pictures and English descriptions, displaying the charm of traditional Foshan culture.

As a piece of music of triumphant return, Shi Fan Gongs and Drums originated in the Tang Dynasty. With a history of more than 600 years, it was introduced to Foshan by folk artists from Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.

Shi Fan Music includes seven sub-projects such as Chuzhou Shi Fan Gongs and Drums. Other Shi Fan is mostly played by the traditional stringed and woodwind instruments, while Foshan Shi Fan is performed purely by percussion instruments.

Foshan Shi Fan belongs to gong and drum music. Shi means "various" and Fan refers to "patterns". Hence, Shi Fan indicates various patterns or changes.

Foshan Shi Fan performed purely by percussion instruments

Shi Fan has two categories: Su Gongs and DrumS (or Qing Gongs and Drums) and Hun Gongs and Drums (or Sizhu Gongs and Drums). Su Gongs Drums is simply played by percussion instruments. In comparison, Hun Gongs and Drums is played by percussion instruments as well as orchestra instruments.

Shi Fan instruments (Photo by Jing jinjin)

Shi Fan ensemble in Qiuse parade in 1982

There were twenty to thirty ensembles when Foshan Shi Fan was in the prime. Nowadays, the Shi Fan ensemble at Heguangyi Hall "何广义堂" in Chaji village, known as Chaji Shi Fan, is the most well-preserved.

Chaji Shi Fan belongs to Su Gongs and Drums with complicated rhythm and enthusiastic mood.

Chaji Shi Fan performance

There are 10 kinds of musical instruments, including bass drum, yun drum, gaobian gong, qiaoxin gong, er gong, su gong, shaker drum, big cymbal, flying cymbal, horn(already lost), and the first 9 musical instruments are played by Shi Fan now.

Shi Fan instruments

The performance of flying cymbal is thrilling and exciting. The golden flying cymbals fly up and down in the performance of Shi Fan, just like a butterfly flying among the flowers.

He Hanpei, a national representative inheritor, is performing flying cymbals

Combining flying cymbals and local eight-sound gongs and drums, Chaji Shi Fan is often performed at folk festivals like Dragon Boat Festival, Chinese Valentine's Day, Mid-Autumn Festival as well as Qiuse parade. The festive performance is so spectacular and lively that there is a saying goes "Qiuse performance is incomplete without Shi Fan music".

Shi Fan ensemble formed by Wanhua Primary School in Qiuse parade

At present, there are more than 80 Shi Fan ensembles in Chaji village, covering three generations of old, middle-aged and young. Many parents are willing to bring their children to learn Shi Fan.

Children are learning Shi Fan

Author | May

Revisor | Eleanor, Eddie

Source | Foshan Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center