The Mulan drumline members perform in a high school in the US. Photo: Courtesy of Dong Wenzhu
As the Year of the Snake inches closer, preparations for the local Chinese New Year Gala are well underway in Oregon, the US, and one performance promises to grab the spotlight: A dazzling display by a drumline. The Mulan drumline members perform before an NBA game on December 28, 2024 in Portland, the US. Photo: Courtesy of Dong Wenzhu
The drum team, consisting of more than 40 locals of Chinese ethnicity living in Oregon, has called itself the "Mulan Team," inspired by the legendary Chinese female warrior Hua Mulan, with the drumline shot to fame after performing on an NBA court at the end of 2024.
Dong Wenzhu, one of founders of the drumline, cannot forget the enduring applause around the court after the last groove fell. "I want to tell people from different cultural backgrounds that China is the birthplace of percussion instruments," said Dong, who has been making cultural exchange efforts through diverse traditional and cultural Chinese activities.
"Our sense of cultural identity and pride is continually resonating as we participate in these activities, and the people around us, no matter where they come from, are also very interested in learning about and understanding our culture. In recent years, I have even encountered some indigenous residents who seem to know more about Chinese culture than we do," said Fan Xudong, a local dragon boat team manager who was born in China but is now a US citizen and has lived in the country for over 20 years.
For Dong, Fan and fellow drumline members, these moments are not just about a performance or a dragon boat race - it is more about pride, identity and the power Chinese culture has to transcend boundaries.
"When we stepped onto the NBA court, dressed in traditional mamianqun[horse-face skirts] and pushing our massive drums, the crowd wasn't impressed - they barely noticed us," recalled Dong. "But the moment we struck the first groove, the sound reverberated through the arena. Heads turned, eyes widened, and by the end, the applause was deafening. The host on the court kept expressing amazement and even asked us to return for another performance."
This scene took place before the game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Dallas Mavericks. A departure from the usual cheerleading halftime shows, the drumline stunned audiences with beats imbued with grand, majestic oriental melodies and powerful moves.
Their drums were made in a village in Central China's Henan Province, a historical drum production base for hundreds of years, and were transported to the US, according to Dong. Chinese drums have a long history, once integral to ceremonies, celebrations, and even present on battlefields. With their thunderous sound and commanding presence, they symbolized strength, unity and power. Yet today, in the hands of the Mulan drumline, these ancient instruments have taken on a new role: As cultural ambassadors that bridge the gap between East and West.
Established in 2022, the drumline has made an impact by staging over 30 performances annually at various festivals, community events, schools and cultural galas throughout Oregon and Washington states. Their dedication has helped them build a strong reputation in the region. Notably, during a performance with hundreds of high school students from the US, the captivating energy of the Chinese drums left a lasting impression, with many participants eager to give it a try.
Growing confidence
From the pounding rhythms of the drum to the graceful sweep of dragon boat paddles and the elegant flow of traditional Chinese attire hanfu, around Dong, more people of Chinese descent in the US are immersing themselves in and promoting diverse kinds of traditional Chinese culture.
Fan said that her dragon boat team members, comprised of people from the local Chinese community, are indeed very dedicated; they have sacrificed a lot of personal time and experienced happiness and joy from participating in the activities. "As a result, their level of engagement continues to rise, and both their skills and physical abilities are consistently improving."
While interacting with participants from diverse cultural backgrounds after each race, Fan discovered that many were well-versed in the ancient legend of Qu Yuan, a renowned Chinese poet and nobleman from the State of Chu during the Warring States period (475BC-221BC).
"This not only shows that they have delved into the origins of the Dragon Boat Festival beyond mere participation, but also serves as a testament to the dynamic spread of traditional Chinese culture beyond our borders," Fan observed, adding that dragon boat events are so popular around the US that they're commonplace in various cities.
The dragon boat team and the drumline aim to promote Chinese culture through everyday community activities to people of Chinese descent. These events not only enhance their cultural pride but also inspire younger generations to continue exploring their cultural heritage. "For us, as middle-aged Chinese-American individuals, this represents a highly meaningful journey of cultural participation," said Fan.
Chinese communities are coming together to celebrate and share their heritage more boldly. From calligraphy workshops and tea culture classes, to lion dances and lantern festivals, Chinese traditions are finding vibrant new life in foreign soil.
Dong is attempting to bring her drumline and Chinese drums to more places and larger stages around the world. She believes that with the increasing impact of Chinese culture, this goal is achievable.
