Choice preferences in drum tower design among the Dong people: Evidence from the five villages in Guangxi, China

Abstract

Chengyang Eight Village is renowned as a gathering site for the Dong ethnic group and the most prominent area for wooden architecture. Drum tower is an extremely important representative of wooden architecture that can influence the economic and tourism development of the region, providing functions of public activities, communication, and ethnic identity. However, widespread issues such as damage, abandonment, or disappearance threaten drum towers, which are crucial spiritual centres for Dong villages. Despite the social and functional significance of drum towers, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of how people interact with them. This study aims to analyse Dong people’s choice preferences in drum tower design, to examine the importance of 84 practices and influencing factors and propose a research path for study choice preferences. This study selected five villages among the Chengyang Eight Village as the research sites. Based on data from literature, field investigations, questionnaires and statistical analysis methods, this study analysed the choice preferences of local villagers regarding drum tower design. Five steps, 24 elements and 84 practices of drum towers were studied, and the impacts of the four influencing factors (Practicality, Economy, Decoration, and Belonging) on the three levels of the 84 practices were examined. Results showed that drum towers are a part of a complex, mutually reinforcing system where villagers and the towers mutually promote and influence each other. Villagers exhibited ambivalence towards drum tower design, navigating between deep-rooted traditions and evolving functional needs in contemporary contexts. Drawing on the Space-Behaviour Interaction Theory, this study examined the interaction between villagers and drum towers through a comprehensive approach of qualitative and quantitative methods, and established a research path for choice preferences. This study significantly enriches the discourse on minority village studies and traditional architecture, and provides valuable references for cultural heritage preservation and policy formulation.

Keywords

Dong’s drum tower / Choice preference / Influencing factors / Interaction / Preservation and development

References

[1] Aleksandrov, M., Rajabifard, A., Kalantari, M., Lovreglio, R., González, V.A., 2018. People choice modelling for evacuation of tall buildings. Fire Technol. 54, 1171- 1193.

[2] Azen, R., Walker, C.M., 2021. Categorical Data Analysis for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. Routledge.

[3] Bolan, Y., Tingshu, W., 2023. Chinese culture and building a community of Chinese nationalities: an analysis. Annals Human Social Scie. 4 (2), 785- 797.

[4] Bouchair, A., Dupagne, A., 2003. Building traditions of Mzab facing the challenges of re-shaping of its built form and society. Build. Environ. 38 (11), 1345- 1364.

[5] Cai, L., Zhang, Q., Deng, Y., 2020. The terms and ldentifier system of the timber structure of DongMinority's drum towers (part l). Traditional Chinese Architectuto Gardens 4, 31- 33.

[6] Cai, L., Wang, Y., Deng, Y., 2022a. The research on a character system of the dong ethnic group's SquaredDual-ring pillars drum tower. In: Guangxi Linxi River Drainage Basin. New Architecture, pp. 124-129.

[7] Cai, L., Wang, Y., Liao, R., Deng, Y., 2022b. Misunderstandings about the regular octagon: "crooked octagons" technique of the dong variable angle drum towers in Guizhou province. N. Archit. 40 (2), 18- 24.

[8] Chai, Y., 2013. Spaceetime behavior research in China: recent development and future prospect: spaceetime integration in geography and GIScience. Ann. Assoc. Am. Geogr. 103 (5), 1093- 1099.

[9] Chai, Y., Tan, Y., Shen, Y., Kwan, M., 2017. Space-behavior interaction theory: basic thinking of general construction. Geogr. Res. 36 (10), 1959- 1970.

[10] Chen, Y., 2020. Liuzhou. Guangxi Normal University Press.

[11] Chen, F., Zhou, S., Lu, J., Zheng, Z., 2024. A behavioral explanation of the activity-space segregation: individuals' preference of choosing an activity destination. Environ. Plan. B Urban Anal. City Sci.

[12] Committee, E., 1992. Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County Chronicle. China Minzu University Press.

[13] Committee, L.C.E., 2002. Sanjiang county chronicle.

[14] Committee, E., 2008. A Brief History of Dong. The Ethnic Publishing House.

[15] Dai, X., Liu, A., 2019. Progress of connotation, dimension, and influencing factors of place identity. Prog. Geogr. 38 (5), 662- 674.

[16] Deng, S., Han, P., 2020. The spatial revolution of the Miao and dong traditional folk houses in southeast of Guizhou. South Archit./Nanfang Jianzhu 195 (1), 67- 72.

[17] Desmet, P., Fokkinga, S., 2020. Beyond Maslow's pyramid: introducing a typology of thirteen fundamental needs for human-centered design. Multi. Techn. Inter. 4 (3), 38.

[18] Dong, B., Bai, K., Chen, Y., 2022. Reproduction of tourism space in ethnic villages under the practice of multiple power subjects: a case study of Zhaoxing Dong Village in Guizhou Province. Trop. Geogr. 42 (1), 87- 99.

[19] Edwards, R., Holland, J., 2020. Reviewing challenges and the future for qualitative interviewing. Int. J. Soc. Res. Methodol. 23 (5), 581- 592.

[20] Fan, Y., 2022. Interpreting the symbolic meaning of Dong drum tower architectural form-taking Sanjiang ma fat drum tower as an example. Open Access Library J. 9 (5), 1- 13.

[21] Fan, S., Lv, H., Han, C., 2023. Review of research on Dong traditional architecture and settlements based on citespace. Construction Economy 44 (S1), 547- 551.

[22] Feng, X., 1994. Questionnaire method in methodological background. Socio. Res. (3), 13- 18.

[23] Feng, L., Li, Z., 2020. Su Bai and the investigation of the xumishan grottoes. J. Dunhuang Studies (2), 1- 11.

[24] Fu, J., Zhou, J., Deng, Y., 2021. Heritage values of ancient vernacular residences in traditional villages in Western Hunan, China: spatial patterns and influencing factors. Build. Environ. 188, 107473.

[25] Guo, Z., 2023. The Research on Surname Emblems in Jering Village, Perak. Final Year Project. UTAR.

[26] He, W., 2020. The Characteristics of Operation in Timber Industry of Guangxi's West River (1897-1945. The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

[27] Hu, Z., Deng, Y., Liu, P., Peng, H., 2020. The semiotic mechanism of cultural landscape genes of traditional settlements. Acta Geograph. Sin. 75 (4).

[28] ICH, 2024. Representative inheritor. Avable at the website of the intangible cultural heritage in Guangxi.

[29] Ju, K., 2023. A discussion on the improvement strategies of contemporary dong housing in the context of xingzhi. N. Archit. (6), 82- 87.

[30] Li, J., 2017. Research on wood carving patterns of traditional buildings in Baitasichuan. Hezhou. Arts Criticism. 7, 131- 144.

[31] Li, B., Wu, C., 2021. Living strategy of immigrants in the basin of qingshuijiang river since ming and qing dynasties. J. Kaili Univ. 39 (5), 31- 37.

[32] Lin, S., Wu, Y., 2024. Spatial form and optimal design of traditional village streets based on space syntax-taking Zhanli Village, Congjiang County, Guizhou Province as an Example. Design 9, 986.

[33] Ling, C., Yaning, W., Ruoxing, L., Yi, D., 2022. Misunderstandings about the regular octagon: " crooked octagons" technique of the dong variable angle drum towers in Guizhou province. N. Archit. (2), 18- 24.

[34] Liu, M., 2022. On features in inheritance of architectural craftsmanship of Dong people with an eye to the "Sangh Deic Magc" groups. J. Guangxi Med. Univ. 44 (4), 137- 144.

[35] Liu, M., 2023. Craftsmen's role transformation of dong people's sangh deic magc in view of social mobility.Journal of Guangxi Minzu University (Philosophy and Social Science Edition) 45 (4), 129- 134.

[36] Liu, H., Jiang, L., 2020. Investigation on the conservation status of dong wooden buildings in Sanjiang county, Guangxi. Culture J. (1), 51- 53.

[37] Lobsang, T., Zhen, F., Zhang, S., Xi, G., Yang, Y., 2021. Methodological framework for understanding urban people flow from a complex network perspective. J. Urban Plann. Dev. 147 (3), 04021020.

[38] Lu, Y., Ahmad, Y., 2023. Heritage protection perspective of sustainable development of traditional villages in Guangxi, China. Sustainability 15 (4), 3387.

[39] Lv, S., Li, L., Deng, X., 2024. Research on lnheritance strategy of Dong nationality characteristic villages in southeast Guizhou based on cultural landscape gene. Tradit. Chinese Archit. Gardens 1, 59-62+116.

[40] Ma, Y., 2021. Modern Tourism Expression of Folk Culture. Beijing Book Co. Inc, Beijing.

[41] Martínez, V.G., Ma, G., Pellegrini, P., Costa, M.R., 2022. Vernacular architecture and cultural identity in shrinking rural settlements. Archit. City Environ. 17 (50), 11389.

[42] Mileto, C., Vegas, F., 2018. Earthen architecture: sustainability and heritage. Compass 29, 36- 42.

[43] Morris, J., Blier, S.P., 2004. Butabu: Adobe Architecture of West Africa. Princeton Architectural Press.

[44] NCH. Immovable cultural relic information. Available at the website of the National Cultural Heritage Administration of China.

[45] NEAC, 2019. Dong. Available at the website of the national ethnic affairs commission of the people's Republic of China.

[46] NEAC. The Plan Outline for the Protection and Development of Ethnic Minority Characteristic Villages. Available at the website of the State Councile of China.

[47] Owamoyo, L., Tabibi, B., 2023. The impact of globalisation on traditional architecture in Nigeria: a case study of Lagos Island. Adv. Appl. Sociol. 13 (9), 636- 650.

[48] Pan, Y., 2019. Social dynamics: an analytical method of drum tower design for Dong nationality. In: 3rd International Conference on Culture, Education and Economic Development of Modern Society (ICCESE 2019).

[49] Pawar, P.B., Verma, R., Daniel, C.O., Sayyad, L., 2023. Foundation of research methodology: a comprehensive guide. Red Unicorn Publication. Page 9.

[50] Ponsiglione, A.M., Amato, F., Cozzolino, S., Russo, G., Romano, M., Improta, G., 2022. A hybrid analytic hierarchy process and likert scale approach for the quality assessment of medical education programs. Mathematics 10 (9), 1426.

[51] Qin, Y., Li, Y., Ma, X., 2022. Cultural origin and contemporary value of drum tower of Dong ethnic group from symbol code. Guizhou Ethnic Studies 43 (6), 133- 139.

[52] Ren, J., 2024. Evaluation of Visual Characteristics of decorative landscape of traditional residential buildings: a case study of Beijing Siheyuan. Edu. Admin.: Theor. Pract. 30 (5), 1770- 1779.

[53] Sánchez, S.V., Mahaek, E., Lekagul, A., 2020. A framework of design criteria for elderly facilities using maslow's hierarchy of needs. Nakhara 18 (1), 97- 116.

[54] Schoch, K.J. R.d., 2020. Case study research. Res. Des. Methods: An applied guide for the scholar-practitioner 31, 245- 258.

[55] Shan, D., 2003. Chinese Residence. Intercontinental Communication Center (Beijing).

[56] Shuai, J., Ling, Y., 2023. Architectural Gene Identification and Map Construction of Sizhai Dong Village in Guizhou, vol. 5. New Architecture, pp. 90-95.

[57] Tian, Q., Xu, C., Huang, H., 2024. Exploring the methods of traditional village cultural authenticity preservation-a case study of Yim Tin Tsz village in Sai Kung, Hong Kong. Academic J. Human. Soc. Sci. 7 (3), 137- 143.

[58] Wang, S., 2024. Conservation of dong minority wooden structures: in situ material investigation of the yashang drum tower in hunan, China. Stud. Conserv. 69 (2), 67- 76.

[59] Wang, C., Zhong, H., Li, W., 2022. Gene identification and pedigree construction of settlement cultural landscape: taking the traditional Dong villages in northern Guangxi as an example. Social Scientist 2, 50- 55.

[60] Webber, Q.M., Albery, G.F., Farine, D.R., Pinter-Wollman, N., Sharma, N., Spiegel, O., Manlove, K., 2023. Behavioural ecology at the spatial-social interface. Biol. Rev. 98 (3), 868- 886.

[61] Weng, N., 2020. A collection of interviews: dialogues about architecture and anthropology. Archicreation (2), 24- 35.

[62] Wu, L., Tang, X., Peng, K., 2020. A study on oral history of craftsmen froma perspective of historical anthropology: a case of traditional construction techniques of ethnicities inGuizhou. Archit. J. 616, 79- 85.

[63] Xi, L., 2024. Color Application of Guangxi Intangible Cultural Heritage Elements in Cultural and Creative Products Color(02), pp. 100-102+144.

[64] Xu, F., Zou, Y., Li, Y., Wen, Z., Li, Y., 2024. The parametric analysis of the construction rules of the ethnic Dong's Drum-Tower's wooden framebased on the craftsmen's logic: a case study of the four-eight style Drum-Tower by Gaobu's ethnic Dong craftsmen in Hunan Province. Archit. J. 665, 72- 77.

[65] Yang, J., 2022. Living as a tree: the concept of symbiosis in the Zhanli kam minority village. Asian J. Soc. Sci. Studies 7 (9), 15.

[66] Yi, Y., Wu, Z., 2019. Symbol and landscape: space production for ethnic tourism community landscape-field work of drum tower in Chengyang Dong village. J. Guilin Univ. Technol. 39 (4), 983- 989.

[67] Yu, H., Chen, B., Liu, W., Huang, Y., Liang, T., Zhou, Z., 2024. Study on seismic performance of bottom frame of Dong nationality wooden drum tower. Building Struct. 54 (12), 138- 145+117.

[68] Yuan, C., Wu, T., Liu, H., Chu, X., 2024. Anthropological interpretation of the great wood works in dong ethnic dwellings. Zhuangshi 1, 110- 117.

[69] Zhan, D., Zhang, W., Yu, J., Dang, Y., Li, X., 2016. Application of questionnaire survey method in human geography studies in China. Acta Geograph. Sin. 71 (6), 899- 913.

[70] Zhang, J., 2023. Innovative protection and sustainable development strategies for village heritage: taking Dong villages in Tongtong County, Hunan Province as an example. Culture J. (3), 14- 17.

[71] Zhang, X., Liu, S., Zhao, M., 2021. An examination of the structural forms and evolution process of the kam drum towers in the Pingtan River Region. Stud. Hist. Nat. Sci. 38 (4), 461- 478.

[72] Zhang, J., Ting, W., Wu, L., 2024. Ethnic minority high school students' cultural attachment to the local ethnic groups and Chinese nation. J. South China Normal Univ. (Soc. Sci. Ed.) (1), 75- 92.

[73] Zhang, K.Y., Lin, Y., 2024. Research on the integration of culture and tourism path of Dong's wooden structure construction skills. J.Yangtze Normal Univ. 40 (2).

[74] Zhao, Y., Zhang, S., 2020. Research on the motives of domestic tourists visiting zhaoxing Dong village scenic area based on the push and pull Theory. Nanning Zhiye Jishu Xueyuan Xuebao 25 (1), 81- 85.

[75] Zhu, Y., Tian, D., Yan, F., 2020. Effectiveness of entropy weight method in decision-making. Math. Probl Eng. 2020 (1), 3564835.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

The Author(s). Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Higher Education Press and KeAi.