“Dongbur”and”Beilun” of Xibe Ethnic Group

“Dongbur” is the stringed instrument of Xibo nationality, which is popular in Chabuhar autonomous country, Huochen and huamu, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The instrumental head and neck are made of wood and similar to “san xuan”, a stringed instrument of Han nationality. The pear-shaped instrimental body is made of red pine or birch. The instrument has 2 strings, which are made of goat intestine. The tone color of the instrument is very lowering and moving. It mainly uses to accompany dancing; and it can perform more than 10 melodies. 

Dancing in language of Xibo is called “Beilun”. The types of Xibo dancing are diverse. At present, traditional folk dances popular in Chabuchar include Xibo benlun, Arshur, clapping dance, saluting dance, drunk dance, butterfly dance, dung collecting dance, galloping dance, threshing dance and so on. Most of Xibo dances are solo or a pair of man and woman, which are brief but brave, flexible and magnificent. Generally, they can be classfied as robust and delicate types. Robust type is suitable for men, which show straightforward, strong and humor features of men; and delicate type presents women’s lightness, elegant and flexible characters.

Xibo dancing originate in producing activities and daily life. For example, galloping dance imitates the running horse and the rider’s vigorous bearing; it lively indicates the riding and arrow shooting character of Xibo nationalities. Saluting dance consists of bowing and courtesy activities, which shows the virtue of Xibo nationality such as respecting old man, helping children, civility and hospitality. Drunken dance expresses all sorts of drunken status of people when they attend harvesting ceremonies and other festivals. Butterfly dance mimic the butterfly catching process to show love seeking of young men and women.