Da Ma Deng, a famous folk custom activity of Nanjing Gaochun, originated in the Tang Dynasty and prevailed in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is known as a wonder in Jiangnan area and a national intangible cultural heritage.
Dongba Da Ma Deng is a traditional folk dance imitating the war horse. It has bamboo frame and horse skin made of flannel. It is decorated with saddle, reins, brass, which makes it more like a war horse in form and expression.
Da Ma Deng usually made up of seven “horses”, simulates the leap of real horse during the performance. The young actors who play the roles of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei ride on horses for battle. Under the command of the drums, accompanied by folk instruments, the cavalry are alternately arranged, which is very spectacular.
Two people will be a team to perform a “horse” that is bigger and taller than the general horse. The front person wears the prop to play the horse’s head while the back one clenches the belt of the front and wears the props for the horse’s body. They are restrained by each other, which makes the performance difficult.
The horse-dressing person must familiarize with the true horse’s temperament, dynamic and static appearance at first and practice much harder. Secondly, they need to work on pile squat. The two men, with four legs crossed at left and right, coordinate with each other step by step for harmony and unity, in order to make the fake horses realistic and awesome.
Dongba Da Ma Deng reflects the spirit of the Gaochun people which advocats “loyalty”, courage of changing the world and people’s longing for the peaceful and harmonious society.
