Chaoshan in Guangdong Province is the home of Yingge dance(英歌), a prized folk art that combines a southern Chinese style of boxing with traditional opera. This art is the subject of the third episode in NOWNESS China’s Young Masters series–a focus on the heritage and interpretation of traditional Chinese skills by a new generation.

Huaimei Yingge Team is a group of self-taught Yingee dancers. Aged between 18 and 19, the boys take inspiration from classic heroes and follow the examples of their chivalrous exploits. Their intricate make-up and vibrant costumes represent the 108 Stars of Destiny as featured in The Water Margin, the first Chinese novel in vernacular Mandarin which chronicles the deeds and adventures of 108 bandit-heroes.

Yingge Boys captures the frisson before the team’s parade performances and the principles that bond them; solidarity and loyalty. Team member Xiao Wang leads this story, which transitions from the boys’ everyday lived environment to the realm of heroes where their alter egos skillfully wield the Yingge drumsticks with vigor.

"In the beginning, Huaimei Yingge team taught more than 70 people, but by the end, more than 40 people left,” said Wang. “We did not eliminate anyone. There are some people who find it very difficult and after learning for a while do not want to come back". This is indicative of how strenuous and challenging the dance can be. With the mallets, one can easily injure themselves and much skill and concentration is needed to wield them. Which is why the team’s motto is: “Either dance Yingge well or don’t dance at all.”

Even after graduation or whenever the boys have gone to work in different careers, there is still an expectation that when the call to dance Yingge is heard, they will all come back together. For the Huaimei Yingge Team, this dance tradition is true fraternity.