Wudang brings ICH into schools

Students perform the Huagun Dance. [Photo/WeChat account of Wudang district]

Students dressed in Miao ethnic clothes perform the Huagun Dance. [Photo/WeChat account of Wudang district]

The recess bell at Xiaba Nine-Year School in Wudang district rings every school day at 10:20 am. Upbeat music begins as students take to the schoolyard, each holding a huagun (a stick decorated with flowers), ushering in the daily Huagun Dance routine.

The children twirl their huagun in the air with rhythmic beats and flowing movements, creating a harmonious blend of sound, motion, and coordination. Whether moving in unison or weaving in dynamic formations, their performance is a captivating display of strength and grace.

As the birthplace of the Miao Huagun Dance, which is recognized as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage (ICH), Xiaba town has incorporated this traditional dance into its school curriculum since 2009.

Over the past 14 years, the school has developed a campus version of the dance, introducing modifications to choreography, costume, and music rhythm while preserving its cultural essence.

The school has also adapted the Huagun Dance into a physical exercise routine for recess, making it a part of daily student life. This enriches campus activities and fosters a stronger connection between local youth and their cultural roots. From unfamiliarity to passion, students have grown to embrace the tradition through every practiced movement.