The Communication,Identity And Ritual In Square Dance

As the time goes by, Square Dance is experiencing the changes of the times.The late 90’s of last century, along with the pace of urbanization,a universal coverage of basic public services and social security system began to take shape.On the basic satisfaction of the material conditions,people’s life style has been changed quietly. Square Dance stands out from the numerous kinds of leisure entertainment and returns to public vision.In recent years,the social topics around Square Dance emerge in endlessly.Presented by the choice of media,it has been repeatedly pushed to the cusp of public opinion and become a unique current social phenomena in China from a kind of rest and entertainment.Some reporter says,the Square Dance has become one of the focus issues in the process of urbanization of china.The author uses the ethnographic research as the main method, conducted observations,interviews and researches to H Square Dance group in Hefei Binhu district more than nine months.Start from running through the basic evolution of Square Dance, around three keywords which are communication,identity and ritual,the author attempts to answer three basic questions:"why do they dance", "they dance for what"and "what makes them can not give it up".Futher more,the author puts forward some own views and opinions.The changes of the macro society have projected onto each individual life through different ways.Our interpretation of the micro level of individuals may not summarize the picture of the complex world,but it can show us the most fresh and vivid case.First of all,in the "the history of the Square Dance"chapter,the author gives a general summary about the origin and development of Square Dance,outlines a series of connotation and significance from it as a collective labor life method at the beginning,to a political propaganda tool before and after the liberation,and to a way of social interaction for most of the middle-aged and elderly to achieve communication demands in nowadays. Although the origin of the Square Dance in the academia is still controversial,but it is undeniable that it can never be regarded as a pure art activitiy.Secondly, in the "the communication in Square Dance" chapter, the author follows the the logical chain:the "city" outside the city,the "dance" in the "city" and the "emotion" in the "dance" and orgnizes a large number of field materials.Started at the description of the geographical position and characteristics of the region,through analysis on the stage, dance and dancers,the author thinks that the current status of the space of Square Dance is embarrassed.The city did not properly consider the needs of the public space during its development.However,it cannot hinder the the Square Dance to become an important media which allows the local middle-aged and elderly people to obtain information, establish communication and achive social interaction.The great majority of Square Dance are both great and insignificant,both special and ordinary which determine the content and emotion of interpersonal communication.Through the research on the interpersonal relationship pattern,the author thinks that the existence of loneliness, emotion and utility behind the steps are the most important power forcing their participation into the Square Dance.Then,in the "the identity in Square Dance" chapter,the author pays close attention to the majority the middle-aged and elderly women in the Square Dance as the main research object,analyses their self-identity,group-identity and social-identity. Through the exploration of individual life experiences,the author found that the majority of the Square Dance had experienced the pain from the ups and downs of the history which makes them have a strong desire to cure themselves.And the appearance of Square Dance aptly gives a good chance to achieve their demands of self expression.In addition,identity can contribute to the birth of the community.There are various forms of identity in the group consolidating the centripetal force.At the social identity level, the stigma of "dama" become the symbol of "Square Dance".Because of the "dama" who are the vulnerable groups in public opinion field,they are always consumed by the social.Together with the cultural divide and the lack of understanding between generations in the result of social upheaval,the contradiction between the setting of social expectation to women and their desire of breaking the role orientation which all lead to "dama" has become a controversial group in the moment.Finally,in the "the ritual in Square Dance" chapter,from the perspective of daily and major ritual,the author reassesses the current Square Dance and holds a strong belief that the experience,cohesion and mandatory in the ritual are the most important reasons which make these participants crazy and cannot give it up.The Square dance weaves a net with significance,letting the participants obtain experience.By repeated practicing,they internalize Square Dance as an indispensable part of daily life and accept the mandatory control in a subtle way.Through the layers of progressive analysis,based on the response to the above three problems,the author regards the Square Dance as a special media in the process of urbanization.Some people can establish communication,express themselves and share experiences by taking part in the Square Dance.What else.the author also wants to take care of the situation about urban interaction and communication,gives futher reflections on deep-rooted social problems hidden in the Square Dance and "dama",and puts forward some meager opinions.