Posthumanist Approach to the Cultural Heritage of Tuhu Chinese Musical Instruments

Abstract

This study explores the preservation of the Tuhu, a traditional bowed string instrument of the Zhuang people in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, through a posthumanist perspective. The Tuhu represents the community's cultural identity and is vital to Zhuang opera and folk music. However, modernization and a decreasing number of skilled players pose significant threats to its transmission. Employing qualitative methods such as ethnographic fieldwork, in-depth interviews, and participant observation in Debao County and Jingxi City regions with rich Zhuang musical traditions, the research engaged five key informants, including local musicians, cultural practitioners, and educators. Thematic analysis revealed the instrumental agency of the Tuhu, environmental influences, and the role of digital technologies in cultural transmission. Findings indicate that preserving the Tuhu necessitates its integration into educational curricula, improved accessibility through digital platforms, and collaboration between cultural practitioners and academic institutions, fostering younger generations' engagement with traditional practices.