Wangfeng Town Suona, Intangible Cultural Heritage Project of Shenxian County

LIAOCHENG, China, Apr. 21, 2025 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

Wangfeng Town Suona, a traditional folk musical art from Wangfeng Town, Shenxian County, Liaocheng City, Shandong Province, is renowned for its distinctive artistic style and profound cultural heritage.

 

As one of China’s ancient wind instruments, Suona has been passed down through four generations in Wangfeng Town, forming a distinct regional characteristic. It plays a vital role in local festivals, ceremonies, folk customs, weddings and funerals, becoming an important part of spiritual and cultural life of the local community.

 

Wangfeng Town Suona preserves the essence of traditional musical repertoires but also incorporates modern innovations, creating a unique tonal character described as “vigorous, majestic, clear, and resonant.” Classic compositions are reserved for rituals in weddings and funerals, while modern adaptations blend artistic excellence with contemporary relevance. The performance techniques, including solo, duet, and vocal mimicry, highlight advanced skills.

 

Beyond its cultural significance in folk traditions, Wangfeng Town Suona offers invaluable insights into the evolution of Chinese folk music. In 2018, it was inscribed into the intangible cultural heritage list of Shenxian County. Inheritor Yin Lifei has revitalized this art form through establishing training schools, organizing performances, recording albums, and integrating it with cultural tourism to explore sustainable development pathways. These efforts have breathed new vitality into this ancient art. In 2020, Wangfeng Town Suona was elevated to municipal-level intangible cultural heritage status, and in 2021, Yin Lifei was officially recognized as a municipal-level representative inheritor.

 

Source: Shenxian County People’s Government