Longgang Xinggu Drum Troupe

‘Hancheng Xinggu’, literally means ‘Marching Drums of Hancheng’, also known as kuaguzi or ‘shoulder drums’, is a unique type of drum originating from the city of Hancheng in Shaanxi province. In 2008, the it was included in China’s second list of protected forms of national intangible cultural heritage. Its performances are a wild and rapturous clamour of drums and cymbals, with a heroic air that stirs the hearts of listeners. Heralded as “China’s number 1 drum”, the Hancheng Xinggu appeared in the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics and at the Shanghai World Expo. Hancheng Xinggu’s performances have also been given at international art festivals and sporting events in Hsinchu, Taiwan; Edinburgh, Scotland; Moscow, Russia; and Copenhagen, Denmark.