Bird whistle(鸟哨) used to be a play tool when the farmers in coastal region catch birds. It has a history of more than 100 years. Its techniques and functions were derived from the bone whistle used by ancient people who lived in more than 7,000 years ago when they hunted wild animals. It is an important part of Shanghai culture.
In 2006, when the country carried out the general investigation of intangible cultural heritage, they found that the production custom that the bird whistle relies on has disappeared in most regions. Only in several coastal regions such as Luchao Bay Town have remained the custom.
Luchao Bay Town covers an area 18.53 square kilometers and it have seven administrative villages. Almost all the seven villages border on seawall and mud flat. The mud flat and wed land here is the only way that the migratory birds must pass.
The wide reed field becomes a treasured place for large amounts of wild birds and the variety can reach more than forty categories. According to historical legends, famers in Qing Dynasty began to catch birds to make a living. During their process of catching birds, they gradually developed the techniques to play bird whistle.
The theory and function of bird whistle and bone whistle used by ancient people who lived more than 7,000 years ago in Zhejiang Hemudu regions are similar. Bone whistle is a kind of tool made of animal bones. Ancient people hollow the bone and trepanning on it. The bone whistle can play a kind of voice similar to the cry of animals and birds.
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Bird whistle is a kind of tool used by bird catcher who use it to play voice similar to birds’ cry. After years of refine and development, the techniques of bird whistle are handed down from generation to generation.
By the end of Qing Dynasty and the early of Ming Dynasty, bird whistle became a useful tool in spring and autumn and an entertainment tool in common days. Bird whistle has become a cultural custom in Shanghai region since then. Around the days of liberation, bird whistle reached its heyday. There were more than 30 families and 70 people engaging in the activity of catching birds by bird whistle.
Bird whistle is made of bamboo. The process of making a bird whistle is simple and the material is easy to get. The voice of bird whistle is clear and lofty. It can imitate more than 20 kinds of birds’ cry. The skillful craftsmen can use it to recognize different birds and play different voce to attract them.
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