Abstract

The study explores Anshun Dixi, a traditional folk opera endemic to Tunpu villages in Anshun City, Guizhou Province, recognized as part of China’s first batch of intangible cultural heritage in 2006. In a globalized society where commoditization plays a pivotal role in preserving and transmitting intangible cultural heritage, Anshun Dixi has transitioned from a cultural hallmark to a marketable commodity since the 1980s, amid the burgeoning domain of Chinese culture and the influence of market economics. This transition not only denotes Anshun Dixi’s transformation into local economic resources but also reflects its status as a prominent representative of Tunpu culture. The study deploys the conceptual lenses of cultural identity and commoditization to scrutinize Anshun Dixi’s transformation and the rationale behind these changes within a globalized framework. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research amalgamates findings from extensive fieldwork and literary reviews, highlighting the complex dynamics between the commoditization and cultural identity of Anshun Dixi. The examination reveals that the expanding commoditization of Anshun Dixi invariably alters its cultural identity, providing insightful perspectives on the performance art’s current commodified state and its implications for cultural preservation and transmission in the contemporary era.