歌舞中的少數民族年俗
民俗大觀
作者：沈梅
Most of the 55 ethnic minorities in China celebrate Spring Festival. They celebrate by dancing and singing， among other festivities. The following are some ways the minorities in China celebrate the arrival of New Year.
蒙古族
蒙古族人民將春節稱為“白節”，將農曆正月稱為“白月”。原來，蒙古族人以“白”為吉祥。除夕午夜，全家開始飲酒進餐。初一早晨，男女跨上駿馬，奔向“浩特”（村鎮），挨個串蒙古包。串包時，人們載歌載舞。
The Mongolian ethnic people call the Spring Festival White Festival and the first month of the lunar calendar White Month. On the eve of the lunar New Year， the whole family wine and dine. In the morning， people visit friends tent by tent.
壯 族
壯族的春節從年三十至正月初一、初二，共三天，稱為“新年節”。壯族人過春節要舉行對歌、打陀螺、跳舞、賽球等文體活動。
The Zhuang ethnic people celebrate the Spring Festival for three days. They sing in antiphonal way， dance， spin tops， and have ball games.
土家族
土家族人過年的文藝活動古老而濃重。農曆正月初一至十五期間，跳擺手舞是必不可少的內容。其他還有唱大戲、耍獅子燈、舞龍燈、騎高腳馬等。舞龍燈最為流行，城鄉街坊村寨宗廟家族幾乎都紮“龍”。“龍”所到之處，鼓樂齊鳴，鞭炮不絕，多賜以包封。
The Tujia ethnic people celebrate by dancing together waving their hands in many fascinating ways. They also watch opera plays， have lion dance， dragon dance and walk on stilts. Dragon dance is the most popular festivity.
彝 族
彝族則根據彝曆選定年節。有的與當地漢族同過春節。雲南省雙柏縣小麥地衝的彝族人正月初八有“跳虎節”的特殊風俗：全村成年男子集於村後土地廟遺址，由本村“畢摩”祭土主請虎神，8位村民化裝成老虎翩翩起舞。
The Yi ethnic people celebrate their New Year in conformity with their ethnic calendar. A Yi village in Shuangbai County， Yunnan Province holds a Tiger Festival on the eighth day of the first month.