Hearing the Sea in Labour Chants: The Musical Characteristics and Cultural Significance of Zhoushan Fishermen’s Chants
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66069/ojspub.26821002Keywords:
Zhoushan fishermen’s work songs, Traditional music of Zhejiang, Labour work songsAbstract
Zhoushan fishermen’s chants form an integral part of the traditional music of the Zhejiang coast and serve as an auditory record of the long history of maritime labour and life among Zhoushan fishermen. Originating from traditional fishing labour, they are closely linked to specific work processes such as weighing anchor, raising the sail, rowing and hauling in the nets. This paper takes the Zhoushan fishermen’s work songs as its subject of study. Based on a review of relevant materials and using representative songs such as ‘Weighing Anchor’ and ‘Rowing’ as examples, it analyses their musical characteristics and cultural significance. With changes in modern production methods, the original contexts in which Zhoushan fishermen’s work songs were used have gradually diminished; however, the labour practices, collective cooperation and memories of maritime life they preserve continue to hold significant cultural value.
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