STAGE ADAPTATION OF MINNAN PAIXIONG DANCE IN ZHANGZHOU: BALANCING TRADITION AND INNOVATION

Abstract

This study investigates the Minnan Paixiong Dance in Zhangzhou, Fujian, tracing its shift from ritual folk practice to contemporary stage performance. The objective is to examine how the dance maintains cultural authenticity while adopting modern stage techniques and to identify practical mechanisms for balancing preservation and innovation. As a representative item of southern Fujian intangible cultural heritage rooted in Minyue sacrificial traditions, the dance is characterized by chest-beating rhythms and emblematic costume elements. Focusing on Zhangzhou, where inheritance and staging are active across festivals, education, and tourism, the research employs literature review, participatory observation, semi-structured interviews, and questionnaire surveys to capture historical continuity alongside current innovations. Findings show that core movements and symbolic motifs remain intact, while music, lighting, formations, and choreographic structuring enhance artistic appeal. Costumes are reinterpreted with modern materials and palettes without abandoning iconic symbols, and the cultural functions have expanded to education, communication, and tourism. Audience surveys indicate strong recognition of cultural value with ongoing concerns about authenticity. The study demonstrates an approach that preserves core symbols, adapts performative media, and embeds cultural education, providing a reference for the protection, inheritance, and sustainable development of intangible cultural heritage in contemporary contexts.