The Folk Songs And Ballads In The Society Of Han And Wei-Jin South And North Dynasties

There were many folk songs and ballads in ancient China. Most of them embody the social culture and political background of particular era. Meanwhile, folk songs and ballads are also the reflection of people's emotion and living conditions of the period, which describe the ancient people's daily lives and thought practice. As opinions from the folk, bureaucratic institutions and intellectuals, folk songs and ballads are used to express their comments on and criticism to the government, which represent a special way for them to participate in politics. Therefore, folk songs and ballads of certain times to some extent could be seen as a kind of public opinions. In another way, some folk songs and ballads can also be seen as an important part of the social custom in view of their social and political effect on people's life in the ancient China. Since many governors of Wei-Jin South and North Dynasties realized the importance of these songs and ballads, they not only appointed the custom emissaries to collect them regularly, but also adjusted their policy and changed officials in response to the demotic requirements. Thus, an interaction between the government and demos was established with the help of this inter-medium, which played an important role for the operation of the Chinese ancient government system.However, the function of the media can only be realized through the spread of the songs and ballads in many ways. Normally the folk songs and ballads are spread by individuals and groups as the most important and common forms. At the same time, the social culture, such as the widely accepted songs and dances by folks and the psychological state in this period, also promotes the spread of folk songs and ballads. Furthermore, the system of bureaucracy plays an essential part in the wide spread of the songs and ballads in Han and Wei-Jin South and North Dynasties. Especially, many malfeasants, who were offspring of the electoral system at that time and encroached upon people's interests, have enormous influence to production and spread of folk songs and ballads during the Han and Wei-Jin South and North Dynasties.