Andai, Handleless Cup and Chopsticks Dances of Mongol Ethnic Group

Overview of Mongolian Dances

Classic and Modern Dance Repertoire

Mongolian dances enjoy a long-standing reputation both at home and abroad. Well-known traditional styles include Andai Dance, Handleless Cup Dance and Chopsticks Dance. Modern choreographed works feature Eagle Dance, Yataghan Dance, Saddle Horse Dance, Gallop Dance, Milkers' Dance, Ordos Wedding Dance and The Herdsman's Happiness, among others.

General Artistic Features

Mongolian dances are marked by distinct rhythms and unrestrained emotions. Female dances boast lively tempos and graceful steps. Shoulder swings and wrist turns are iconic movements, fully reflecting the passionate and cheerful nature of Mongolian young women. Male dances present tall, imposing postures with free, powerful yet gentle footwork. Every hand gesture, whip raise and jump embodies masculine charm, showcasing agility, bravery, robustness and heroic spirit.

Andai Dance

Origins and Early Functions

Andai Dance evolved from a group folk dance popular in Kulun Banner, southern Horqin Grassland. The word "Andai" means "to lift oneself up" or "to raise one's head". In its early days, it was a ritual dance for praying to deities, curing illnesses, seeking divine blessings and warding off diseases and misfortunes. Gradually, it developed into a popular recreational activity. Numerous folk legends tell of its origin, and one widely-spread story is as follows.

Folk Legend of Its Creation

A father and his daughter once lived on the Horqin Grassland. The girl suddenly fell victim to a strange illness: she lost her appetite and became depressed day by day, with no sign of recovery. Deeply worried, the father took his daughter on a herdsman’s wooden cart to Fuxin to seek medical treatment.

On the journey, the cart axle broke unexpectedly, and the girl’s condition took a turn for the worse. Desperate and distraught, the father ran around the cart, crying and singing loudly. His cries drew villagers from nearby areas, who joined in weeping and singing. Perhaps moved by the scene or frightened away by the crowd, the illness faded. The girl stood up, climbed down from the cart, and swung her arms and stamped her feet along with the crowd. She broke out in a sweat, and her strange disease was completely cured. The story spread rapidly across the Horqin Grassland.

Evolution and Performance Forms

Since then, local people adopted this practice to treat women suffering from similar ailments, and named the activity "Andai". In its initial form, it focused mainly on singing, hence also known as "Singing Andai". Later, people began to dance along with the songs, enriching its recreational value, and it eventually became a major performance during festivals.

In standard performances, led by singers or musical accompanists, participants of all ages and genders form a circle. They hold silk scarves or lift the hems of their robes, singing in chorus while dancing counterclockwise. Typical movements include stamping feet and waving silk, stepping and kicking while twirling silk, circling and jumping with waving silk, as well as leaping and landing while tossing silk. The dance style is unrestrained, bright and lively.

After 1949, professional artists sorted out and refined Andai Dance, turning it into a formal stage performance.

Handleless Cup Dance and Chopsticks Dance

Geographical Origin

Handleless Cup Dance and Chopsticks Dance originate from Etuoke Banner and Wushen Banner on the Ordos Plateau.

Handleless Cup Dance

Also called Bowls-on-head Dance, it is an impromptu performance mainly presented by women on festive occasions. Dancers balance a bowl or plate on the head and hold a wine cup in each hand. Accompanied by onlookers’ singing, they tap the cups rhythmically and dance gracefully.

The dance concentrates on upper-body movements, with soft, steady swaying of the head and neck, and varied arm motions such as waving, lifting, pressing and picking. Dancers perform lifting, bending and swaying centered around the waist while sitting, kneeling or standing. They also execute nimble circling and swirling steps. The overall posture is elegant and delicate.

Chopsticks Dance

This dance is distinguished by rhythmic clacking of chopsticks, traditionally performed solo by men during festivals. Dancers hold a bundle of chopsticks in each hand and strike them to the rhythm of folk songs. While kneeling, sitting or standing, they tap the chopsticks against their hands, arms, shoulders, backs, waists and feet, combined with leg stretches and body sways. Sometimes they also strike the ground with chopsticks mid-dance.

The movements are nimble and flexible, matched with strong, powerful rhythms. After 1949, it was adapted into a group dance for both men and women, creating a more joyous and animated atmosphere. The revised version also highlights shoulder shimmies and waist twists.