Sayeryo of the Tujia ethnic group is a form of song-dance.

Sayeryo of the Tujia ethnic group of Hubei province is a form of song-dance in the area of the middle reaches of the Qingjiang River. It has a long history; according to the historical book Man Shu, the ancestors of the Tujia ethnic group perform sayeryo as a way of mourning.

Tujia people celebrate when the elderly pass away, as they believe birth and death are like the changing of the seasons, natural and inevitable. They express their broad-minded values and positive attitude towards life through the unique sayeryo dance.

At a traditional funeral, villagers will put the coffin in the town hall and men will sing and dance, and women will wear bright clothes and accessories. The celebration lasts throughout the night. First the master of ceremonies will hit the drum to start the dance. The dancers will then begin the 24 stages of the sayeryo dance, which moves about clockwise.

Sayeryo harmoniously integrates singing, dancing and music. Its tone and melody are only found along Xingshan Mountain, north of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. The Tujia positive and open-minded attitude towards life shows through in the dancing.

Sayeryo is unique to the Tujia?ethnic group?living in the Qingjiang basin, and it has?high artistic and academic research value.

Sayeryo harmoniously integrates singing, dancing and music.