How the Dong Grand Song Promotes Social Cohesion in Dong Communities in Qiandongnan Prefecture

Abstract

The Dong Grand Song (????), a multi-part, a cappella polyphonic choral tradition of the Dong ethnic minority in China, was
inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. While often celebrated for its unique
musical aesthetics, which imitate the sounds of nature, its profound sociological function remains a critical area of study. This paper investigates the mechanisms through which the Dong Grand Song (DGS) actively fosters and reinforces social cohesion within the Dong communities of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province. This research argues that DGS is not merely a form of
entertainment or artistic expression but operates as a fundamental social institution. It achieves this by acting as: (1) a living oral archive that
preserves and transmits collective memory, history, and customary laws; (2) an integral component of ritual and festive life that strengthens
communal bonds through shared emotional experiences; (3) a practical, embodied exercise in social cooperation, where the harmony of the
performance itself becomes a metaphor and training for social harmony; (4) a system of intergenerational transmission that organizes social
life and solidifies Dong ethnic identity. By examining the content, context, and practice of DGS, this paper concludes that this intangible
cultural heritage is an indispensable adhesive that binds individuals, families, and villages together, ensuring the resilience and continuity of
Dong society in the face of modernization.