Confucius
Institute
Mongolian Dance: Sunrise in the East
Sunrise in the East 5:59
Choreography by Wang Peng and directed by Luo Jingjie
Acknowledgment: all copyrights of the videos and photos reserved to Central China Normal University (CCNU)
"Sunrise in the East" (Chinese: 日出东方; pinyin: rì chū dōng fāng) pays tributes to the Mongolian people (Chinese: 蒙古族; pinyin: méng gǔ zú)’s nomadic heritage and reverence for nature.
Originally from the east bank of the Ergune River, the Mongolian people are nomadic pastoralists mainly living in East and Central Asia. They are one of the 55 ethnic minorities in China. Mongol population in China was reported to be around 6.2 million in 2021.
The Mongolian people are known to be superb horsemen. They travel with their flocks of cattle extensively over the boundless grasslands. They have also accumulated rich astronomical knowledge. As early as the 13th century, the Mongolian people already knew that the moon got its light from the sun. In their traditional culture, the sun and the moon symbolize “eternity”. They believe all things have spirit and that they worship totems associated with the sun, the moon, wolves, eagles, swans, trees, etc. In particular, their worship of “the Sun” has permeated the Mongolian folk customs, literature, and other aspects of their daily life.
The Mongolian people are also known as "music nation" for their love for music and dance. Mongolian traditional folk dance is performed with vigorous rhythm and energetic expressions. Dance movements such as shoulder shaking, arm waving, and horse stance signify their ethnicity for being uninhibited, enthusiastic, brave, and agile. Performed by the men’s dance group at Central China Normal University, “Sunrise in the East” has wonderfully captured the essence of these cultural qualities.
About the Choreographer (Wang Peng)
Mr Wang Peng is currently teaching and researching at the Dance Department of Central China Normal University. He graduated from the College of Dance, Minzu University of China in 2005.
He has published two academic books ”Analysis of Ethnic Folk Dance” and Folk Culture” and “An Introduction to Chinese Ethnic Folk Dance Art” and a series of teaching videos “The Soughing Wind: Mongolian Men Dance”. Mr Wang has participated in the " Young Talents of Tibetan Folk Dance” training program sponsored by China’s National Art Fund. His choreographic works include "Sunrise in the East", "Ancient Legends", "The Daughter of the Ergun River", "Father's Sabre" and "The End of the Mountain and Sea", etc. He has won multiple prizes in high-level dance competitions such as China’s “National Art Festival of University Students”, “Peach-and-Plum Cup”, and "Golden Phoenix Award" of Hubei province.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.