Singing the Sea: Historical Context and Musical Characteristics of Jing Ethnic Folk Songs through the Case of "Da Yu Guilai"
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60027/iarj.2026.e291760Keywords:
Jing Ethnic Group, Maritime Culture, Folk Song, Ethnomusicology, Cultural PreservationAbstract
Background and Aims: The Jing ethnic group, located in Dongxing, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, possesses a rich maritime cultural heritage, as expressed through their traditional folk songs, which are influenced by both Chinese and Vietnamese traditions. This research aims to investigate the historical development and analyse the musical characteristics of Jing ethnic folk songs.
Methodology: Adopts a qualitative ethnomusicological approach, incorporating fieldwork, in-depth interviews, participant observation, and musical transcription. Research was conducted in coastal Jing communities, with three key informants selected based on their cultural roles as tradition bearers. Audiovisual documentation and Western notation were employed to analyze musical form and structural content.
Results: The song "Da Yu Guilai" exemplifies a tripartite structure, mirroring the seafaring life, with a departure, labor, and return. Its stepwise melody and alternating meter support communal singing and synchronized movement during fishing. Festival performances reinforce ritual function and cultural identity. Oral transmission sustains memory amid modernization. This research reveals how music fosters cultural resilience and environmental adaptation, contributing to ethnomusicological theories on the link between musical structure and socio-ecological context. It also supports practical applications in heritage education and community-based cultural preservation.
Conclusion: The research confirms that the musical characteristics of Jing folk songs are shaped by the group’s historical development and maritime environment. It highlights the need for preservation and further academic attention to coastal ethnic musical traditions.
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