EXPLORATION AN ANALYSIS OF THE SINGING OF POLYPHONIC FOLK SONGS IN SOUTHWESTERN CHINA

บทคัดย่อ

Polyphonic folk songs in Southwest China represent a unique musical heritage distinct from Western polyphony in their origins, functions, and performance styles. As vital expressions of minority cultures, these songs showcase diverse vocal techniques and reflect the social life, cultural values, and aesthetics of different ethnic groups. This study investigates the singing styles, inheritance mechanisms, and protection strategies of polyphonic folk songs in the modern era. Drawing from dialectical materialism and multidisciplinary approaches—including musicology, folklore, and cultural anthropology—the research combines qualitative interviews, musical analysis, and quantitative surveys among inheritors and folk ensembles. Findings reveal that polyphonic singing commonly involves repetition and chorus forms, using true and falsetto vocal techniques with strong ethnic characteristics. Transmission is primarily oral and intergenerational, yet faces challenges due to modernization. The study proposes digital preservation and integration with cultural tourism as practical pathways to safeguard this intangible cultural heritage.