Jingjiang – a county-level city administered by Taizhou city, in East China's Jiangsu province – is still deeply influenced by Wu culture, which originated during the middle and late Shang Dynasty (1600 – 1046 BC).
This influence is particularly evident in the region's oral storytelling traditions.
At the end of the 11th century BC, two princes moved to today's Meicun town in Wuxi city in Jiangsu. There they founded the Wu state, developing the economy and culture to the south of the Yangtze River. For millennia, Wu culture – which values morality, literature, pragmatism and innovation – has been passed down the generations and brought prosperity to the region.
Three noteworthy storytelling activities in Jingjiang are Xi Opera, sermons and folk songs.
Jingjiang folks gather to learn Xi Opera. [Photo provided to etaizhou.gov.cn]
Xi Opera, known for its elegant and lyrical melodies, as well as its vivid portrayal of the Jiangnan ambiance, is widely popular in East China.
It found its way to Jingjiang in the 1950s and was embraced by the locals due to the similarity in dialect and relatable content. As a result, numerous local Xi opera masters including Ni Tongfang and Li Guiying emerged in Jingjiang.
Sermons – a form of lectures that incorporate folk legends, folk songs and social customs – constitute a folk literary genre characterized by a blend of sacredness and vulgarity, solemnity and wit.
Sermons in Jingjiang primarily revolve around narratives and often include a combination of verse and prose. [Photo provided to etaizhou.gov.cn]
Jingjiang folk songs originated from the fertile sandy soil brought by the Yangtze River, providing relief and respite for hardworking peasants during busy seasons.
These songs are performed in the local dialect, vividly depicting various aspects of life – such as agricultural production, relationships between men and women, historical tales, beliefs and spirits.
These captivating songs are characterized by their heartfelt and informal style and are typically performed during special traditional festivals and celebrations – such as house completions, weddings, children's full moon ceremonies, birthdays and more.