THE TRANSFORMATION OF BLACK TAI TRADITIONAL CULTURAL SYMBOLS IN DINGJIA NÜ DANCE

Abstract

This article examines how traditional cultural symbols of the Black Tai (Tai Dam) ethnic group are transformed into choreographic language in the folk dance Dingjia Nü. The study has three objectives: first, to identify the core Black Tai cultural symbols embedded in the dance vocabulary; second, to analyze how these static cultural symbols are converted into dynamic bodily gestures, stage formations, and choreographic narrative through processes of extraction, artistic refinement, and reconstruction; and third, to evaluate how this transformation balances the preservation of cultural authenticity with the aesthetic demands of contemporary stage performance. The study adopts a qualitative research approach combining case study, dance ethnography, and semiotic analysis. Data are collected through document study, in-depth interviews with eight key informants, participatory observations, and analysis of performance videos and choreographic notes. Thematic analysis is employed for data processing. The findings reveal that Dingjia Nü successfully transforms Black Tai traditional cultural symbols into contemporary dance expression through a systematic process of identification, transformation, and expression, offering a replicable model for ethnic dance creation that balances authenticity with innovation.

Keywords: Black Tai, Traditional Cultural Symbols, Dingjia Nü Dance, Transformation