Traditional Chinese dance moves spark viral imitation trend

A traditional move from a Shandong folk dance has recently gone viral on Chinese social media, after an old instructional video recorded years ago by dance teacher Ming Wenjun as part of a basic training course was rediscovered and widely imitated by netizens.

Known as "black bear-shaking fur," the dance move is a basic element of training in Guzi Yangge, a traditional folk dance that was popular in east China's Shandong Province. The name refers to the image of a black bear shaking off its fur.

The move requires dancers to generate force from the waist and abdomen, transmit it through the arms and across the body, and coordinate the movement with the dance's signature cross steps. Dancers maintain a grounded and controlled posture while creating continuous full-body vibrations, giving the movement its distinctive rugged and powerful character.

The move has also appeared on stage in the dance drama Dye House, whose ensemble finale features the vigorous style of Shandong's Guzi Yangge, offering audiences a glimpse into the traditional dance style beyond its humorous online incarnation.

Another traditional dance move that has recently gained popularity online is the "dodge step," which comes from the Anhui Flower Drum Dance, another form of national intangible cultural heritage inscribed in 2006. Known as "Oriental ballet," the Flower Drum Dance has been passed down along the Huaihe River region, with the "dodge step" serving as one of its characteristic movements. 

The sudden popularity of the two movements has brought renewed attention to traditional Chinese folk dance, while also highlighting the physical demands of their execution. Dance professionals and medical experts have cautioned that the movements may place considerable stress on the body, and beginners are advised not to attempt them without proper instruction.