The Study Of Fisherman Chantey In Rongcheng Of Shandong

As a kind of work song composed by laborers in their work, Chantey is often linked directly to the work they do. It is a form of art formulated quite early in the evolution of human history and thus acquires its long history in the music civilization of human being. In ancient times, it is called "songs driving people to work" and these primitive, natural and rhythmical calls uttered by people account for the preliminary stage of Chantey. With the evolution of work, the procedure of labor is more complicated, the division of labor is refined, the means of work becomes diversified and contents and intensity of work are more varied. Chantey takes more shapes and acquires various artistic styles. The common forms of Chantey include engineer chantey, porter chantey, farmer chantey, boatman chantey, fisherman chantey, sailor chantey and workshop chantey etc. Fisherman chantey was a kind of folk music produced by people living and working along the sea. Reflecting their material and psychological lives, it has both pragmatic and entertainment function. Among the various forms of folk music in China, fisherman chantey is distinguished from other forms of work songs with its conspicuous marine cultural features.The fisherman chantey in Rongcheng, Shandong Province, is a quite localized form of folk art, which is composed by fishermen in their everyday work on the sea. It is also the most primitive folk music about fishing in Shandong peninsular. As part of the local culture and fishing civilization in Rongcheng, fisherman chantey was born in the work of people, local customs and dialects and these features bestowed it with unique style and significance. By exploring the development, contents, artistic features and social customs contained in fisherman chantey in Rongcheng, the author hopes to disseminate the marine culture and fisherman spirit on the one hand and propose a few advices for chantey preservation on the other. It is expected that this thesis with its research and advice is able to offer some help to the undertaking of intangible cultural heritage protection.