The Taiping Drum, also known as the “Fan Drum,” “Single Drum,” or “Sheepskin Drum,” is a unique form of folk dance traditionally performed during festivals in Beijing. It originated during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and became increasingly popular during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), developing a strong community following. Initially, the Taiping Drum in western Beijing was a collective song and dance performed by Manchu women, with men joining in only in the early 20th century. The Taiping Drum events take place from the first day of the 12th lunar month to early February of the following year, which is why it is also referred to as the “New Year Drum” in Beijing. Beating the Taiping Drum symbolizes peace and harmony, carrying a special meaning of blessing and welcoming the new year.
Since the Ming Dynasty, the Taiping Drum has been widely performed in Beijing and became extremely popular both inside and outside the city during the Qing Dynasty. Even in the Qing imperial court, the Taiping Drum was played on Lunar New Year’s Eve for peace and stability, hence its nickname “New Year Drum” in Beijing. The Taiping Drum of Guai Village in Wangzuo Town, Fengtai District, has its origins in the Qing imperial court and boasts a history of over 200 years. According to the elders of Guai Village, the Taiping Drum was once so popular in the area that every household owned a drum, and everyone could play it. In the past, villagers were invited to perform in places like Liangxiang, Tongxian, and Hebei, earning a considerable reputation.
The Taiping Drum of Guai Village is characterized by delicate movements, connotative emotions, and a brisk rhythm, reflecting a high level of technical skill and artistic value. The content of the performances is often drawn from the daily lives of the villagers, imbuing the dance with a rich sense of everyday life. The movements are easy to learn, with a wide variety of formations, making it a beloved form of entertainment among the local residents.
The drums used as dance props in the Taiping Drum performances of Guai Village are made from mulberry paper, with a unique and durable craftsmanship that produces a crisp and pleasant sound. The village boasts numerous Taiping Drum routines, with as many as dozens at its peak, and currently, 13 routines are still preserved, including “Round Drum,” “Round Drum Replacing Millstone,” “Four-Sided Fight,” “Six-Sided Fight,” “Eight-Sided Fight,” “Sleeping Baby,” and “Three People, Two Busy Ends.” Among these, “Three People, Two Busy Ends” and “Sleeping Baby” are the most distinctive. The music for Guai Village’s Taiping Drum is composed of two parts: the tune and the lyrics. The tune, also called “Drum Pattern,” serves as both the name of the routine and the musical score. Most Taiping Drum tunes are in 2/4 time; the lyrics are sung during the performance in a pattern of alternating drum beats and singing. The lyrics mainly include “Rope Song,” “Ancient Names of the Twelve Months,” and “Taiping Lyrics,” but only “Ancient Names of the Twelve Months” and “Rope Song” have been preserved.
The Taiping Drum of Guai Village is a contemporary remnant of traditional drum culture in northern China and can serve as a reference for the study of local history and culture in Beijing. In recent years, due to changes in the environment, the Taiping Drum of Guai Village has faced a shortage of successors and is in urgent need of preservation. Currently, the villagers of Guai Village are working to train the next generation of Taiping Drum performers, recover and document the precious materials that are at risk of being lost, and create movement diagrams to ensure that this beloved form of folk art is fully passed down to future generations.