Reflection On The Living Environment Of Successors Of Nonmaterial Cultural Heritage

Being the carrier of the essence of excellent traditional culture, Chinese nonmaterial cultural heritage passes down until today as a symbol of Chinese national spirit. The lasting of culture lies in the vital part of its internal structure. Chinese non-material culture is an important part of humane culture and its creation and passing down depend on the practice and thinking of human beings. The existence of non-material culture is, to a certain degree, dependent on human beings, which means the key of protection of non-material culture lies not only in the protection of matter but also in the protection of its successors.As the first of dragon dance series, the Chinese nonmaterial cultural heritage, the dragon dance of Tongliang is famous worldwide. The Tongliang dragon is known as the first dragon in china for its powerful posture and characteristic style and it's the material carrier and spiritual symbol of the dragon dance of Tongliang. The importance of Tongliang dragon is, therefore, self-evident and its making technique is surely the key of its protection. Attention on the craftsmen of the dragon is essential in the protection of the dragon dance of Tongliang and the investigation of their data and the sorting out of the document are one of the essentials in the protection studies. It is found, by investigation, that the living condition of the dragon-making craftsmen in Tongliang is terrible, together with the passing of the older successors, the exquisite dragon-making technique are gradually disappearing.Based on several detailed field investigation of Tongliang and the subject of art combined with subjects of sociology, politics, folklore and culturology, the author uses the theories and methods of systematic engineering to analyze the artistic characteristics, the value and the current living condition of the dragon-making family of Tongliang. First-hand materials about dragon-making family of Tongliang which are gained by field investigation, and the current living condition and difficulties of the dragon-making family are analyzed thoroughly and systematically. Problems about the living difficulties of the successors of Chinese nonmaterial cultural heritage, including the dragon dance of Tongliang, are expounded systematically. Factors leading to those difficulties are analyzed to provide insight into the solution to the problems of living environment, represented by the dragon-making craftsmen of Tongliang, to provide theoretical support and documentary evidence for the creation of sustainable development mechanisms of dragon-making family of Tongliang, so as to provide scientific reference for the protection and passing down of nonmaterial cultural heritage, represented by the phenomena of dragon-making successors of Tongliang.