Yimakan

“Yimakan” is a unique art mainly consisted of talking and singing which is passed by mouth and ear from generation to generation of Hezhen ethnic group. The tune Yimakan adopted is termed Yimakan tune, and the form is the combination of a person’s talking and singing without instrumental accompaniment. It vividly displays their experiences of hunting and fishing, life and fight, marriage, dance show and other ceremonies, and it is a song and talk show of the customs of ancient Hezhen Nationality. Now, the way of life and production methods of Hezhen people have undergone tremendous changes and the traditional hunting and fishing culture has gradually lost the original color. Particularly, Yimakan singing and talking art, which represents the traditional hunting and fishing culture of Hezhen people, is in imminent danger.