From Temple Fairs to School Performances: Spatial Reconstruction and Bodily Practice of Huabo Dagu in the Process of Urbanization of Beijing

Under the dual pressures of rapid urbanization and intangible cultural heritage (ICH) institutionalization in Beijing, Huabo Dagu (花钹大鼓, Flower Cymbals and Big Drum) has undergone a profound ontological transformation from temple fair rituals to school-based performances. This study investigates how spatial governance and ICH logic drive this structural shift through mechanisms of “de-contextualization” and “re-embedding”. Employing an ethnomusicological approach combining fieldwork, embodied learning, and audio-visual analysis in Houniufang Village, the research examines the reconstruction of bodily techniques and rhythmic logic. The results reveal that the erasure of ritual procession routes forced the practice into disciplined spaces like schools. Consequently, performance subjects shifted from adult males to children, prioritizing manageability over physical intensity. This transition necessitated a deep artistic reorganization: complex repertoires were compressed, high-risk ritual movements were simplified, and organic processional rhythms were re-encoded into mechanical stage beats. Ultimately, Huabo Dagu has transitioned from a “ritual body” serving community cohesion to a “performance body” serving cultural display, illustrating a mode of “controlled regeneration” within modern urban governance.