Safeguarding Intangible Heritage: The Baishou Dance and Community Resilience in Western Hubei

Abstract

This paper examines the role of the Baishou Dance, a collective ritual of the Tujia people in Western Hubei, in fostering community resilience. As a significant intangible cultural heritage (ICH) practice, Baishou Dance transcends its artistic value to function as a vital social institution. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in Laifeng County, this study investigates how the dance, through its ritual performances, collective narratives, and intergenerational transmission, strengthens social cohesion, reinforces cultural identity, and enhances the community's adaptive capacity in the face of modernization and social change. We argue that the safeguarding of Baishou Dance is intrinsically linked to the resilience of the Tujia community. The dance serves as a dynamic reservoir of cultural knowledge and social capital, enabling the community to navigate challenges while maintaining its cultural distinctiveness. The findings suggest that supporting such living heritage practices is not merely an act of cultural preservation but a crucial strategy for promoting sustainable community development. This case study offers broader insights for global ICH safeguarding efforts, highlighting the importance of community-based resilience as a key indicator of cultural sustainability.