Drum Culture in China 中國鼓文化

The earliest reference to the drum in China is in the Pottery Age. The Zhou dynasty established the drum music institution that was responsible for the management of officials known as “drum men” and developed a complete drum music system. From then on， drums came to be used in those practices such as sacrifice， military， labor and other activities.

In ancient China， agriculture was the main form of production and drums were considered indispensable for a good harvest. Since the sound of drums echoes that of thunder， it was believed that playing drums could attract rain and nourish crops. So the instrument was used to pray to the gods for good weather and to “communicate” with them. In each year， the emperor held a ceremony to worship heaven and earth， and drum music was heard alongside.

Drums also played a part in the war. Because of a strong resonance effect， the drums sound can go long distances while striking fear in the heart of the enemies. So the drum had been used as a military booster for a long time.

中國鼓始于陶器時代。周朝設立了專職管理鼓樂的機構，負責管理的官吏被稱為“鼓人”，同時制定了一套完備的鼓樂制度。從那時起，鼓就已經規范地用于祭祀、軍事、勞作和其他活動中。

中國古代社會以農業生產為主，鼓也是人們生產生活中一種不可或缺的器物。由于鼓聲似雷霆，古時人們認為打鼓可以引來雨水，滋潤農作物生長。因此，鼓被用于向神靈祈禱風調雨順，與神靈“溝通”。每年皇帝都會舉行祭祀天地的儀式，鼓樂響徹了千年時空。

鼓在戰爭中也發揮著作用。由于強烈的共振效應，鼓聲可以傳得很遠，同時激起敵人心中的恐懼。所以在很長一段時間里，鼓被用于軍事助威。

In the Tang and Song dynasties， the society was thriving and drums were put to wide uses. The national band， drama， folk art， song and dance， boat racing， lion dance， festive assembly and labor competition were all accompanied by the beats of drums. The sound of drums became synonymous with celebrations， filling hearts with joy.

Dozens of types of Chinese drums exist today. For instance， “Taiping Drum” is used to express hope for peace and prosperity while “Ansai Waist Drum” is meant to show the spirit of the Loess Plateau and the heroic character of farmers in Northwest China. Kaifeng has “Pan Drum”， and Luochuan of Shaanxi Province is known for its “Bie Drum”. There are also some cheerful and time-honored drum dances such as “Fengyang Flower Drum” in Anhui Province and “Fishing Basket Flower Drum” in Jiangsu Province.

The prosperity of drum culture reflects the stability and prosperity of Chinese society. For thousands of years， the drum beats have been played in the backdrop as the society lives in peace and contentment.

唐宋時期，社會繁榮，鼓得到廣泛應用。民族樂隊、戲劇、民間藝術、歌舞、賽船、舞獅、節日集會和勞動競賽都離不開鼓樂。鼓聲成了慶祝活動的代名詞，使人們心中充滿歡樂。

如今的中國鼓，已然有數十個鼓種。例如，用來寄寓人們對太平盛世、五谷豐登的向往的“太平鼓”；展現黃土高原氣概、西北農民豪邁性格的“安塞腰鼓”。河南開封有“盤鼓”，陜北洛川有著名的“蹩鼓”。還有一些歡快而古老的鼓舞，如安徽的《鳳陽花鼓》、江蘇的《漁籃花鼓》。

鼓文化的興盛反映了中國社會的穩定和繁榮。幾千年來，安居樂業的社會環境必然伴隨著鼓樂齊鳴的盛景。

Word Bank

indispensable /'?nd?'spens?bl/ adj. 不可或缺的

pray /pre?/ v. 祈禱；禱告

worship /'w????p/ v. 敬奉；崇拜

accompany /?'k?mp?ni/ v. 伴隨；陪伴

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