Song of Salty Water

nihao: Why can Salty Water song in Tanzhou, Zhongshan be so iconic?

Chen Zhiqiu: Salty Water Songs are a kind of oral culture spread through Danjia People, the fi shermen who were homed on their boats. In the very earlier times, they brought this culture along the river down to Tanzhou. The river system was very developed at that time in Tanzhou. Most areas in Tanzhou were ocean and sands 100 years ago, and it was the central area of the junction of salt and fresh water. The river plain near the estuary of the Pearl River was ideal for people to settle down, so there were more and more Danjia people starting to live together. Earlier, Danjia people were not allowed to go ashore or get married with people in their village. They lived in their boats, making a life only by fi shing. After one day's work, they pulled the boat by the shore, standing on the boat, singing with others, courting some girls, getting entertained to be relaxed a little from their hard work. Salty Water Songs are mostly love songs sung by couples who are falling for each other. They can often be improvised. For instance, when I see some delicious food in front of me, then I can sing, the food looks so good, but the girl looks more attractive. When you sing a good song, it's really easy to get attention from others. After the reign of the Xianfeng Emperor, Danjia people were allowed to go ashore. Then Salty Water Songs became a kind of entertainment, a kind of communication between people in different villages. At some ceremonies and festivals, people set stages for the performance, so Salty Water Songs gradually became a custom of gratitude. And there are contests for Salty Water songs before the farming season or after harvest. Till now, Salty Water Songs are very popular in some local villages among older people, because they are used to them since they were young. When they are singing, it's a harmonious scene, which makes people feel a sense of kinship. Furthermore, the content of the song is normally very simple. It's just very clear when you sing something. So everyone can understand.

nihao: In modern life, how do Salty Water Songs keep their vitality?

Chen Zhiqiu: Salty Water Songs set no restrictions on their contents, but need to follow the rhythm and melody. There are also long and short lines in songs, which contains different pitches and tunes. The tempo is closely related to a fi shermen's life on the water. They are swinging on the water, because they need to row the boat. The water heats the boat and then makes it swing. Thus, Salty Water Songs are based on the tempo of swinging and rowing. It's mainly very organised, but sometimes some dotted notes and syncopated notes are added according to specifi c emotions and languages, which makes the unorganised tempo change the contrapposto a little. Later, due to lifestyle changes, modern people have more entertainment. Danjia people don't live on the water anymore, which makes Salty Water Song redundant. In recent years, people have started to show more respect for traditional culture and they are proud of and interested in these arts with a long history. Salty Water Songs then get treasured in the mainstream. There are many contests and events for Salty Water Songs held in Zhongshan. Some tourist spots also include the introduction of Salty Water Songs into their guide. I wrote a music score of a Salty Water Song for young people and also to teach some students in school. The vitality of Salty Water Songs originated from real life. I think we also need to try to innovate or get used to the contemporary aesthetics. For example, I will add some techniques of vocal music into Salty Water Songs and make the end rhythm and vocal switch more smooth or more melodious. However, we cannot change everything in the song. If we change the essence of Salty Water Songs, it's not a Salty Water Song any more.

Chen ZhiqiuThe national intangible cultural heritage of Zhongshan Salty Water Songs陳治球中山咸水歌國家級非遺傳承人