Zhang Xianwu (1st from L) teaches Dianshan work songs. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The Dianshang work songs in Baidian town Hai'an, Jiangsu's Nantong city, were recently added to the list of provincial intangible cultural heritage, according to the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.

Over the past years, Zhang Xianwu and other folk artists in Baidian have been dedicated to promoting traditional culture by collecting the work songs sung by older generations and creating new ones.

"The work songs in water towns like ours have more than 10 types for work, including carrying a load or grass, and hauling fish nets," said Zhang, "When I was a child, whenever people were working in the fields, or threshing grain, they would sing songs."

Dianshang work song singers pose for a group photo in a corn field. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The work song that impresses the folk artist most is the Treading Waterwheel Song from his childhood. He noted that seven to eight workers were required to tread the waterwheel for a day to obtain the amount of water needed to irrigate two mu of fields and they usually sang songs loudly to keep up high morale.

Zhang added that our farmers now work with machines and work songs have phased out, but as part of our local traditional culture, these songs should be passed on.

Starting in 2011, Zhang collected local work songs with other enthusiasts, and some of the classic songs have been performed on stage. Baidian town has also established a studio to protect and promote Dianshang work songs.

In the first half of this year, Baidian work songs were included in the textbooks of Baidian Town Central Primary School. Zhang and other work song singers were invited to give lectures on the traditional culture.