The big song in Dong minority is originated in the warring states period with a history of over 2,500 years. It is a natural chorus folk singing with no conductor and no accompaniment. Dong minority big song is a folk support voice polyphony with one singer leading the others and many voices constituting high harmonic bass choral singing. It stands out among ordinary folk music in temperament structure, singing skills and concert performance and becomes extremely rare in both Chinese and foreign folk music. Dong minority big song is not only a musical art form, but it also plays a very extraordinary role in direct embodiment of Dong culture and spiritual heritage and cohesion of the Dong people.
Dong minority big song mainly depicts and in praise of nature, laboring, love and friendship. In a word, it contains all the harmonic aspects between mankind and nature and emphasizes on rhymes, smooth melody and metaphor lyrics and renders profound contents. As an essential element of Dong music, the singing content and performance form are in close attach with customs, temperament, environment and life of the Dong people and are reflecting their authentic history.
