Jingjing Garland originates from the folk flower fairs on the festivals, temple fairs and celebrations and is popular in the Jingjing County of Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province. Since it has a history of hundreds of years and is well received by the people, it has a good name of “the hometown of Chinese folk art — the hometown of garland”.
Jingjing Garland belongs to the north Yangko. But it has own features. The main movements of dance include shaking the shoulder, turning the wrist, swaying the bottom, lifting the leg and curling the foot etc. The main props include the vase, colored umbrella, colored pan, overlord’s whip and Taiping board etc., which are accompanied by the unique garland music. It formed an special artistic feature which is tough and gentle, rough and implicit.
Jingjing Garland is divided into different schools inline with the various styles. There are Nanzheng Garland, Zhuangwang Garland, Nangudi Garland and Nanpingwang Garland. The dancers are 6 to 12, and most modern performances are group dancing. In the performance, some hold the rolling umbrella and bow, some hold the drum-shaped rattle and octagonal drum, some wave the overlord’s whip, colored pan and handkerchief and some carry the vase and lamp etc.
In 1991, Jingjing Garland got rapid developments. The performers reach nearly 100 persons. The run-stage step was added to the traditional movements. And music accompaniments adopted the bass drum, big cymbals and suona horn, which remain the traditional character and have the flavor of ages. Now, the large-scale garland contest will be held in Jingjing every year.