Photo Archive: 'Small-scale' baishouwu dance performance

The baishouwu (literally 'hand-waving dance') is a historic dance form form which is distinctively Tujia. The actions are more formalised than those for maogusi, and typically depict farming activities. There are two forms of the dance: this photo is of the small-scale form and was taken at a cultural festival held in Pojiao rural township in Longshan County in the summer of 2001. There is also a much more rarely performed 'large-scale' form, which may include over a thousand dancers.

Photo copyright (C) Liu Changru