All about Shan Studies: 2009-02-22

Traditional Shan dance: Online lessons
by Naw Liang (London, UK and Kiev, Ukraine)
(with Sai Hsengb Pha and SCA_UK)

(Photo c/o SCA_UK. See more here)

Mai soong kha everyone!

It's been a long, busy period - too much work, too many responsibilities, too little free and 'me' time - and something needs to change. Taking a step away from the more serious, academic-like postings for a moment, I thought that it might be a nice change to do something fun, something physical and, of course, something Shan. The result? This mini-article on traditional Shan dance with an assortment of online video lessons from an avid group in Muse, obviously our friends in Muse (labelled Mern Mao in the video content) in upper Shan State.

Traditional Shan dance
Usually, I would spend the first paragraph (or two) imparting my (limited) knowledge of the topic at hand before launching into some recent research/investigation, a cross section of popular or common opinion(s) and possibly some general discussion. Then, to round it off, a short, hopefully logical, but thought provoking conclusion would close. That is, in a nutshell, the loose structure of All about Shan Studies.

At this time and with this topic, however, I am at a loss. I know nothing beyond some sparing observations of traditional Shan dance, and I have not spent any significant time researching it. Moreover, there are few (if any) sources discussing traditional Shan dance available. So, rather than spout off something ill-informed or, worse, wrong, this post services two purposes: to provide a starting point for anyone interested in and, more importantly, anyone knowledgeable about traditional Shan dance to start a discussion; and a chance to take a step away from the usual structure and provide a fun alternative to the norm. I hope you enjoy this.

The following is an excerpt from a message about the following traditional Shan dances. I have included a transliteration below (for those people, like myself, who have yet to perfect their Thai reading skills), but have not included a translation; my Thai skills, sadly, lack the proficiency required to render this adequately - they would be more harmful than helpful.

การฟ้อนไต แม้จะมีเพียง กลองก้นยาว, มอง(ฆ้อง) และ แส่ง(ฉาบ) เป็น เครื่องดนตรีหลักแต่ลวดลายการฟ้อน มีหลายท่า หลายจังหวะชมรมภาษาและวัฒนธรรมไทใหญ่ อ.น้ำคำ จ.หมู่เจ รัฐฉานเหนือได้จัดทำ วิดิโอ การฟ้อนไตเบื้องต้น (เหง้าฮากตางก้าไต)สำหรับผู้ต้องการฝึก และให้ผู้ชมสามารถดูออกว่า ช่างฟ้อน กำลังฟ้อนท่าอะไรอยู่

And here is my Thai transliteration. Apologies for any mistakes.

gaan fón dtai máe jà mee piang glong gôn yaao , mong ( kóng ) láe sàeng ( chàap ) bpen krêuang don-dtree làk dtàe lûat laai gaan fón mee lăai tâa lăai jang-wà chom rom paa-săa láe wát-tá-ná-tam tai yài or náam kam jor mòo jày rát chăan nĕua dâai jàt tam wí-dì oh gaan fón dtai bêua ง dtôn ( hăy ngáa hâak-dtaa ngá-gâa dtai ) săm-ràp pôo dtông gaan fèuk láe hâi pôo chom săa-mâat doo òk wâa châang fón gam-lang fón tâa à-rai yòo

It's time
The following is the entire course (to date) provided by our enthusiastic and instructive dance group(s) in Muse, Shan State. The tiny links underneath are the original sites, given in the event that the 'Lesson' links fail. To start your traditional Shan dance course, click on the each Lesson heading and view the YouTube video. But, before that, make yourself some space, stretch and warm up and get ready to dance.

Congratulations!
You are now well on your way to becoming a truly skilled traditional Shan dancer. Now, exercise done, time to get back to our 'brain work'...

Naw Liang

24 February 2009