Spatial pattern and influencing factors of intangible cultural heritage of music in Xiangxi, central China

Abstract Intangible cultural heritage of music (ICHM) is an important part of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), and research on ICHM has extremely important theoretical value and practical significance. In this study, we aimed to analyze the spatial distribution characteristics of ICHMs and explore the main factors affecting their distribution in Xiangxi, Central China. Methods such as the nearest neighbor index, kernel density estimation, and buffer analysis were used in this study. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) the numbers of traditional music, traditional dance, traditional drama and quyi are 26, 29, 28 and 14, respectively, indicating that quyi is relatively lacking in Xiangxi; (2) the distribution of ICHMs in Xiangxi have spatial heterogeneity, and the main trend is agglomeration. The national ICHMs, provincial ICHMs and municipal ICHMs are mainly concentrated in the south, the west, and the central and northern regions, respectively. The high-density areas of traditional music and traditional dance are located in the south, of traditional drama in the west, and of quyi in the north. (3) The distribution of ICHMs is affected by four factors: namely rivers, topography, GDP and transportation. The 0–3 km buffer zone of the rivers, with 100% of national ICHMs, 83.33% of provincial ICHMs and 84.52% of municipal ICHMs, is the centralized distribution area of ICHMs. 100% of the national ICHMs, 94.44% of the provincial ICHMs and 91.67% of the municipal ICHMs are distributed in hilly (200–500 m) and low mountain areas (500–1000 m). Highways have the greatest impact on the distribution of ICHMs, followed by railways and ordinary roads. The economy has a significant positive impact on ICHM programs; the more developed the economy, the more ICHM projects. The results of this study can provide useful references for the theoretical research and practice management of ICH.