Reconstructing the Narrative of Chinese Origins in Native American Music: The Mutual Corroboration of Pentatonic Modes and Cultural Functions
CaiLingjie

Sichuan Normal University，Chengdu Sichuan，610101；

Abstract：The relationship between ancient Eastern and American civilizations has been widely discussed and remains highly controversial. Since the 19th century, discourse on the origins of ancient civilizations has been dominated by Western-centered historical frameworks, resulting in marginalizing China’s contributions. In light of this phenomenon, it is urgent to review the concept of civilization and reconstruct its history. China is a cradle of human civilization and has long held a pivotal role in human history, making undeniable contributions to world civilization. This paper examines the spread of civilization from the East to the Americas through a comparative analysis of musical modes and cultural functions, providing a musicological perspective on the “Yindian” hypothesis.

Keywords: comparative civilization; Pentatonic Modes; Cultural Functions; American indigenous; music

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