Xiepu Boat Drum Dance.澥浦船鼓。[Photo provided to Ningbo Times]
By Gou Wen
Xiepu Boat Drum Dance originated in the Qing Dynasty (around 1810) and has a history of more than 200 years. It is a folk dance that integrates percussion instruments, boat-shaped props, and folk music. The Dance reflects the ways of life and customs of fishermen in eastern Zhejiang. When fishing boats return with full loads, fishermen celebrate the harvest with the Boat Drum Dance.
澥浦船鼓起源于清朝(約1810年前后)，距今已有200多年歷史。這是一種集打擊樂、船型道具和民歌小調為一體，反映浙東漁民生產生活習俗的民間舞蹈樣式。每逢漁船滿載而歸，漁民們就以船鼓表演來慶祝豐收。
Xiepu is the name of the place where the Dance originated. Xiepu town was a great fishing port in the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the Old Yue language, "pu" means "the water's edge" or "where the river meets the sea"; "xie" is a homonym of "蟹" (crab). Together, the two syllables mean "a place near the water's edge with crab".
澥浦其實是個地名，澥浦鎮在明清年間是個很大的漁港。澥浦中的“浦”字是古越語，意思為水邊或河流入海的地方，“澥”通“蟹”，合起來的意思可以理解為“靠近水邊、有螃蟹的地方”。
Today's Xiepu Boat Drum Dance begins with a performer shouting the words "setting sail!" The five acts—navigating the seas, casting the net, riding the waves, pulling up the catch, and return to port—depicts the entire fishing journey and eastern Zhejiang's maritime customs.
如今傳承下來的澥浦船鼓以“開船啰——”作為引子，之后按照“出海、作業、搏海、豐收、歸航”5個章節，反映漁民捕魚作業的全過程，體現了原汁原味的浙東漁家風情。