SHE ETHNIC MUSIC IN EASTERN FUJIAN: MUSICAL FORMS, AESTHETICS, AND THE ROLE OF LOCAL CULTURAL GOVERNANCE

Abstract

        This study examines the musical forms, aesthetics, and socio-cultural functions of She ethnic music in eastern Fujian within the framework of local cultural governance. Using ethnomusicology, performance theory, and cultural ecology, the research draws on literature review, fieldwork, musical analysis, and comparative study to reveal a distinctive terminological system, diverse modal structures, and performance practices that connect music with labor, love, ritual, and narrative contexts. Findings highlight She music’s improvisational creativity, natural resonance, and emotional sincerity, alongside its openness to cross-cultural exchange with Han traditions. Contemporary challenges such as generational discontinuity, urban migration, and the influence of popular culture threaten its survival, but mechanisms of preservation—ranging from intangible cultural heritage designation and educational integration to stage adaptations and digital dissemination—demonstrate resilience. The study argues that sustainable transmission depends on participatory governance models that balance authenticity and innovation, showing that She music is both an artistic tradition and a governance concern, enriching scholarly understanding and informing cultural policy for heritage sustainability.