The inheritance of Henan Zheng music based on cultural identity a mixed research synthesis

In the context of accelerating globalisation, local musical traditions are increasingly subjected to cultural pressures and disruptions to their identity. Although Henan Zheng music has been formally recognised as a significant form of intangible cultural heritage, there remains a notable lack of research examining the role of cultural identity in shaping its contemporary modes of inheritance and transmission. This study aims to investigate the transmission of Henan Zheng music through the lens of cultural identity, to identify identity-related challenges embedded within its modern development, and to elucidate how processes of cultural recognition contribute to sustainable heritage preservation. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to trace the cultural origins and historical evolution of Henan Zheng music. Qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with six university instructors specialising in Zheng performance and pedagogy. In parallel, quantitative data were collected through questionnaires administered to 80 music-related students. The integration of these data sets provides insight into current development patterns, inheritance conditions, and the status of cultural identity among contemporary practitioners. The findings indicate that cultural identity plays a crucial role in shaping learners' motivation, interpretive engagement, and long-term commitment to heritage preservation. Despite retaining distinctive cultural characteristics, the modern transmission of Henan Zheng music faces several challenges, including a weakening of identity consciousness, fragmented pedagogical content, and insufficient integration of cultural meaning within technical training. This study contributes to the expansion of cultural identity theory within music heritage research and enhances scholarly understanding of the cultural significance of Henan Zheng music. It further offers both theoretical and practical foundations for developing systematic teaching and inheritance models, thereby supporting the revitalisation of Henan Zheng music and providing valuable insights for the preservation of other traditional Chinese musical forms