The historical development of maoshan haozi Chinese folk song in Jiangsu Province, China

Hua Shen; Suthasinee Theerapan; Noppon Chaiyason; Kittikun Jungate; Tu Xiaofang

doi:10.31893/multiscience.2026110

Keywords:

Abstract

This study investigates the historical development of Maoshan Haozi, a traditional folk song originating from Xinghua City in Jiangsu Province, China. A qualitative research methodology was adopted, with field interviews and participant observations employed as the primary tools for data collection. Informants were interviewed on-site, and the data collected were systematically analyzed to uncover the transformation of this folk tradition. It has been found that Maoshan Haozi originated in the Neolithic era as rhythmic shouts used during collective labor, and over time, these evolved into musical expressions deeply embedded in agricultural life. Influences from successive waves of regional migration were absorbed, resulting in a unique blend of cultural elements that shaped Maoshan Haozi into a form marked by both strength and lyrical gentleness. Musically, Maoshan Haozi employs the pentatonic scale, structured melodies, distinct rhythms, and a call-and-response format. Based on musical structure and labor function, the songs have been classified into long and short forms as well as various types, such as Cheshui Haozi, Zaiyang Haozi, and Niu Haozi. As industrialization and urbanization progressed, Maoshan Haozi was adapted for stage performance, leading to changes in melody, tempo, vocal technique, and accompaniment. Despite its inclusion in the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2011 and ongoing educational initiatives, its sustainability remains challenged by generational gaps, reduced youth engagement, and concerns over cultural dilution through digital adaptation. Nevertheless, the preservation and revitalization of Maoshan Haozi have been facilitated through government support, community involvement, and integration into school curricula. This study contributes to ethnomusicological discourse by emphasizing the importance of adaptive strategies in maintaining the cultural integrity of traditional folk music within contemporary contexts.
References
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19. Wu, G. D. (1997). Introduction to ethnomusicology. People’s Music Publishing House.
20. Yang, Y. (2022). Musical analysis and singing exploration of Yangzhou Zaiyang Haozi (Master’s thesis, Henan University). https://doi.org/10.27114/d.cnki.ghnau.2022.000366
21. Yin, H. S. (2020). Comparative study of Haozi in Jinhu Yangge and Changbai Mountain Forest Haozi (Master’s thesis, Jilin University of the Arts). https://doi.org/10.27164/d.cnki.gjlyc.2020.000059
22. Zhou, Q. Q. (2003). Introduction to Chinese folk music. People’s Music Publishing House. https://doi.org/10.27441/d.cnki.gyzdu.2021.001859
23. Zhu, J. (2020). Changes and development of Maoshan Haozi. Contemporary Music, (11), 64–66. doi：10.3969/j.issn.1007-2233.2020.11.022
24. Zhu, Y. Et al. (2024). When intangible cultural heritage meets modernization–Can modernized traditional Chinese opera attract young festival-goers?. Tourism Management, 98, 104767. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2024.105036

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How to cite

Shen, H., Theerapan, S., Chaiyason, N., Jungate, K., & Xiaofang, T. (2025). The historical development of maoshan haozi Chinese folk song in Jiangsu Province, China. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 8(1), 2026110. https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2026110

[1] Askarova, S. (2021). Great song genre in the ethno music of Uzbek folk music. JournalNX, 7(05), 131–134. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/HCYPV

[2] Deng, W. et al. (2024). A Study on the Spatial Structures and Mechanisms of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Traditional Villages in the Dongting Lake Basin. Buildings, 14(6), 1736. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14061736

[3] Ding, Y. (2005). Exploration of logical factors in Jiangsu folk song tunes (Master’s thesis, Nanjing Normal University). https://www.cnki.net/kcms/detail/detail.aspx?filename=2005149640.nh&dbcode=CMFD&dbname=CMFD2006&v=

[4] Dong, J. (2012). Songs from Maoshan. Jiangsu Local Chronicles, (02), 17–18.

[5] Fu, B. Y. (2020). Comparative study on the classification of folk songs in traditional Chinese music. Art Review, (15), 11–13. http://202.28.34.124/dspace/handle123456789/2237

[6] Ji, X. (2000). The historical origin and changes of North and South Maoshan. Jiangsu Local Chronicles, (04), 23–27. https://s.wanfangdata.com.cn/paper?q=%E4%BD%9C%E8%80%85%3A%22%E7%8E%8B%E5%85%B4%E5%9C%A3%22

[7] Jiang, Y. H. (2022). A brief analysis of the characteristics of Jiangsu folk songs – Taking “Da Liangpeng” and “Sa Tangzi Liao Zai Wai” as examples. Scientific Consultation (Educational Research), (02), 172–174. https://doi.org/10.19387/j.cnki.1671-8313.2022.02.097

[8] Li, H. (2020). Research on the musical characteristics and singing of Jiujiang labor Haozi (Master’s thesis, Jiangxi Normal University). https://doi.org/10.27178/d.cnki.gjxsu.2020.001062

[9] Liu, Y. (2005). A brief analysis of the artistic characteristics of Jiangsu folk songs. Chinese Music, (03), 184–187. https://caod.oriprobe.com/articles/8762301/qian_xi_jiang_su_min_ge_de_yi_shu_te_zheng_.htm#:~:text=Author%28s%29%3A%C2%A0LIU%20Yuehua%20%20Pages%3A%C2%A0184,%E6%9C%AC%E6%96%87%E4%BB%8E%E6%96%B9%E8%A8%80%E3%80%81%E8%A1%AC%E8%AF%8D%E3%80%81%E6%9B%B2%E8%B0%83%E7%AD%89%E6%96%B9%E9%9D%A2%E5%AF%B9%E8%8B%8F%E5%8D%97%E3%80%81%E8%8B%8F%E5%8C%97%E6%B0%91%E6%AD%8C%E8%BF%9B%E8%A1%8C%E4%BA%86%E5%88%86%E6%9E%90%E5%92%8C%E5%AF%B9%E6%AF%94%2C%E6%8C%87%E5%87%BA%E5%AE%83%E4%BB%AC%E4%B8%8D%E5%90%8C%E7%9A%84%E9%A3%8E%E6%A0%BC%E7%89%B9%E5%BE%81

[10] Ma, Y. (2012). Investigation and analysis of current music cultural life pattern in Xinghua, Jiangsu. Musicology in China, (01), 32–37. https://doi.org/10.14113/j.cnki.cn11-1316/j.2012.01.005

[11] Merriam, A. P. (1964). The Anthropology of Music. Northwestern University Press.

[12] Miao, J. X. (2019). A brief analysis of Jiangsu folk songs (Master’s thesis, China Conservatory of Music). https://www.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?dbcode=CMFD&dbname=CMFD201902&filename=1019113846.nh&uniplatform=OVERSEA&v=5V0d8KVvDmNtzWZ3Mul7VVzH4xBLUdICT6KwPdinqH2BoWqw6E8r-R2XJgyEIG2E

[13] Mu, X. (2023). Research on saltern workers’ Haozi in Southern Sichuan from the perspective of art anthropology (Master’s thesis, Sichuan Conservatory of Music).

[14] Nettl, B. (1983). The Study of Ethnomusicology: Twenty-nine Issues and Concepts. University of Illinois Press.

[15] Qian, J. M. (2003). Musical structure and form classification of “Zaiyang Haozi” in Northern Jiangsu. Hundred Schools in Arts, (02), 92–96. https://www.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?dbcode=CJFD&dbname=CJFD2003&filename=YSBJ200302020&uniplatform=OVERSEA&v=6FxDAi1KoSqa6Z4QmxZq8sY1z_SNoxN2SzACo1NUir3iJr-wEM_vtGm430Fvye7I

[16] Shan, L. (2002). Starting from the Zaiyang Haozi in Jiangsu folk songs. Journal of Nanjing Arts Institute (Music & Performance Edition), (02), 24–27. https://www.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?dbcode=CJFD&dbname=CJFD2002&filename=NJBY200202007&uniplatform=OVERSEA&v=3FWQz_UGxZtPaRnI87-A-RjIh2DVwdf9P4Ht-T0tV_uhV_0fmMONNbkVlaIhSXFf

[17] Shang, L. (2023). Investigation and research on Tianjin boat and fishing Haozi (Master’s thesis, Tianjin Conservatory of Music). https://www.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?dbcode=CJFD&dbname=CJFDLAST2024&filename=XJZT202334027&uniplatform=OVERSEA&v=LjALn-HRukt7BERiSATn02YnbEpjhAiE-LkS6Gb3HPRDMyvB9rN170NRaJA9NIx4

[18] Wei, A. S. (2011). Artistic characteristics and cultural connotation of labor Haozi. Heilongjiang Science and Technology Information, (25), 240. https://cstj.cqvip.com/Qikan/Article/Detail?id=39616714

[19] Wu, G. D. (1997). Introduction to ethnomusicology. People’s Music Publishing House.

[20] Yang, Y. (2022). Musical analysis and singing exploration of Yangzhou Zaiyang Haozi (Master’s thesis, Henan University). https://doi.org/10.27114/d.cnki.ghnau.2022.000366

[21] Yin, H. S. (2020). Comparative study of Haozi in Jinhu Yangge and Changbai Mountain Forest Haozi (Master’s thesis, Jilin University of the Arts). https://doi.org/10.27164/d.cnki.gjlyc.2020.000059

[22] Zhou, Q. Q. (2003). Introduction to Chinese folk music. People’s Music Publishing House. https://doi.org/10.27441/d.cnki.gyzdu.2021.001859

[23] Zhu, J. (2020). Changes and development of Maoshan Haozi. Contemporary Music, (11), 64–66. doi：10.3969/j.issn.1007-2233.2020.11.022

[24] Zhu, Y. Et al. (2024). When intangible cultural heritage meets modernization–Can modernized traditional Chinese opera attract young festival-goers?. Tourism Management, 98, 104767. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2024.105036

Abstract

References

How to cite