A Comparative Study on “Langshao” Music and the Culture of the Buyi Nationality in the Upper and Lower Parts of Southeastern Guizhou Province

“Langshao” is an activity of communication and love affairs between the Buyiyouth. In Southeastern Guizhou Province, “langshao” is also called “xingshao” in Chinese translation, something like “wanbiao”, “wanlaobiao” or “ganbiao” in certain parts of China, indicating the youth's love affairs. The music in these activities belongs to “langshao” music, including folk songs and meidiao in the upper part of SE Guizhou and “langshaodiao” and leyoudiaoin the lower partof SE Guizhou. “Langshao” music and culture are important components of the Buyi ethnic culture. They have infiltrated into each folk custom. By using the theory and method of ethnomusicology this paper tries to do a holistic and macroscopic research on “langshao” music and culture, to analyze the commonness and individuality of theculture and musical form of the two kinds of “langshao” music, the upper'sand the lower's. And the paper also tries to draw a comparison between “langshao” music and culture and music of the Zhuangand Hannationalities and further to explore the characteristicsof Buyi “langshao” music and culture.