The inheritance of Guangdong music in overseas Chinese communities: the maintenance and construction of cultural identity

Abstract

Guangdong music, as a key element of Lingnan culture, is a crucial means by which overseas Chinese communities maintain and construct cultural identity. This paper employs a literature review to examine how Guangdong music is transmitted within these communities and analyzes its specific role in identity preservation and reconstruction. The paper first outlines the historical background and artistic features of Guangdong music, then discusses how it is inherited overseas and how it impacts cultural identity. It further identifies current challenges in this process and offers targeted strategies by examining typical cases. The findings demonstrate that Guangdong music significantly supports cultural identity in overseas Chinese communities through diverse inheritance forms, though it faces obstacles requiring effective responses. This study provides new insight into the cultural value of Guangdong music among overseas Chinese and serves as a reference for the broader dissemination of Chinese folk music.