A Hai'an Drum Dance performance. [Photo/WeChat account: ntfzwxpt]

The Hai'an Drum Dance traces its origins back to the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty (1522-1566). In the 1950s, cultural workers created special drum-shaped lanterns as props for female performers, later choreographing mixed-gender group dances for regional performances.

Over time, the dance evolved into an all-female group performance, which remains its form today.

The movements of the Hai'an Drum Dance draw heavily from the rhythms of local life. Gestures mimic the swaying of willow branches in the spring breeze or imitate the steps of birds. Many motions reflect the daily routines of village women and fisherwomen — working in the fields during busy seasons, weaving nets in their leisure time.

Beyond its aesthetic value, the dance is a vivid reflection of the farming and fishing communities along the southern Yellow Sea. It offers rich insights into social customs and daily life, while also providing valuable material for academic research into the origins, development, and innovation of ethnic and folk dance traditions in China.

A Hai'an Drum Dance performance. [Photo/WeChat account: ntfzwxpt]