Ritual Performance and Practice of Bajiajiang-Based on Laban Movement Analysis

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The purpose of this study is to realize the forms of performance about “Ba Jia-Jiang” and systematically to draw a perspective toward Gan, Liu, Xie and Fan four Jia-Jiangs with The Laban Movement Analysis. Originating from the roots of 20th century modern dance, Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) is a conceptual framework for the observation, description and interpretation of human movement that offers a robust movement vocabulary. This study focuses on qualitative research. Using depth-interview and field investigation methodology to generalize and analysis the qualitative data. With “Effort” by The Laban Movement Analysis, the footsteps of four generals of “Ba Jia-Jiang”, Gan, Liu, Xie, and Fan are outlined through their practice progression. Gan and Liu are having same performance in “effort”, which is “float”and Xie’s footsteps is using “glide” and “slash” for showing the wings and power of white crane. Fan’s footsteps is based on “flick” and “dab” for expressing monkey’s flexibility. Ultimately, in the part of the Four-door, four generals constantly changing the “effort” of the footsteps when the azimuth changes, then will find out that “Ba Jia-Jiang” Change direction by descending body weight from securing center of gravity while in moving performance. The methodology of Laban Movement Analysis is essentially to observe movement, describe it in terms of LMA parameters and make meaning from observations. This research emphasizes an introduction of the terminology of LMA while employ the methodology of observation, description and interpretation throughout, by example.