Profile | Traditional Chinese instrument hits new heights in hands of social media phenom Mantawoman
Mantawoman, who grew up in San Francisco and studied the dulcimer in China, talks about Yo-Yo Ma, their music and embodying their true self
The Chinese hammered dulcimer, or yangqin, has been around for hundreds of years, but no one has played it as radically as Mantawoman.
Taking an instrument associated with classical Chinese works such as Spring Arrives at the Qing River, Mantawoman has become a social media phenomenon by posting videos using it to play Billie Eilish and Charli XCX tracks.
Born on the US west coast, Mantawoman, who is non-binary and biracial, and known for their impeccable dress sense, lives in the British seaside town of Margate.
The hammered dulcimer is closely related to the Persian santur, which dates back to ancient Babylonia. A versatile percussion instrument, it first appeared in China during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).
I was almost going to quit music … It was a huge turning point for me.
It gained popularity in southern Guangdong province initially before its use spread to the rest of the country.
The standard version has 144 steel strings, which the player strikes with a pair of small bamboo hammers, and it is a staple of the modern Chinese orchestra and frequently accompanies Chinese operas.
