In recent years, central and local governments have stepped up efforts to protect and preserve the diverse ethnic cultures of China. CCTV reporters go into some ethnic minority areas to discover their traditional art and culture which may wow the people around the world. It is also our sincere hope that more traditional art and culture could be handed down from generation to genaration.
In recent years, central and local governments have stepped up efforts to protect and preserve the diverse ethnic cultures of China. As part of that effort, two renowned folk singers from Southwest China´s Yunnan Province, Li Huaixiu and her brother Li Huaifu, are doing all they can to preserve the indigenous songs and dances of their Yi ethnic group. The protection of folk culture in Shiping is a good example in Yunnan province, which has 26 ethnic groups - the greatest variety in China. Their diverse cultures, customs and history are the source of their distinctive music.
Shiping county of Yunnan province is known throughout the country for its long history and Yi traditional dances and songs. The Yi ethnic group makes up more than 58% of the local population.
Li Huaixiu and her brother Li Huaifu won the national western folk song competition, then perform in the theaters around the world, and they even performed during the Spring Festival Gala. Their routine includes the Yi Sea Grass Melody, Snuff Case Dance and traditional love songs.
The local government has worked for years to protect the Yi ethnic culture especially after the sister and brother became famous.This year, the pair will return to perform at the county´s traditional dance and song festival.
The Red Miao ethnic group lives in Southwest China´s Guizhou Province and their embroidery has been passed down for generations. The main color pallet of Red Miao´s embroidery are red, yellow and black. The colors and the pictures on the clothes have their own meaning, all from nature and fairy tales told by their ancestors. Making a complete suit of a Red Miao clothes takes more than one year and it´s all hand-made. Visitors to the county often see young girls and women doing embroidery.
The Red Miao ethnic group lives in the mountains of Xishui County at an elevation of 1600 meters. Visitors to this area will instantly notice the clothes of the women who reside here, for it features the beautiful embroidery that fully shows a high degree of time-honored skills.
The Red Miao ethnic group lives in the mountains of Xishui County at an elevation of 1600 meters.
The main color pallet of Red Miao´s embroidery are red, yellow and black. The colors and the pictures on the clothes have their own meaning, all from nature and fairy tales told by their ancestors. Making a complete suit of a Red Miao clothes takes more than one year and it´s all hand-made.
The main color pallet of Red Miao´s embroidery are red, yellow and black. The colors and the pictures on the clothes have their own meaning, all from nature and fairy tales told by their ancestors.
Generation by generation, the Red Miao ethnic group has turned their traditional embroidery into great works of art. Their effort over the years has brought beauty not only to this small county, but also to the world of ancient folk art.
Generation by generation, the Red Miao ethnic group has turned their traditional embroidery into great works of art.
The Miao ethnic group of China is known for their diversified culture and earthy yet exotic craftsmanship. One fine example is the Miao silverwork, celebrated for its myriad of shapes and patterns. Today we pay a visit to Fenghuang County in Central China´s Hunan Province to discover more about this age-old Miao tradition.
The Miao silverwork craftsmanship, which is inscribed on the country´s intangible cultural heritage list, is regarded as the epitome of the Miao folk culture and history.
56-year-old Wu Qiubiao is one of the few existing Miao silversmiths living in the Fenghuang County. He says traditionally all the silver accessories to complete a Miao woman´s dress must be hand made.
Firstly, a silver nugget needs to be melted, before undergoing hammering, forging and moulding. Then comes the most difficult part which really tests a silversmith´s skills -- the carving!
Nearly all the patterns carved on Miao silverwork are a token of auspiciousness. And that´s why the silver accessories are a necessity for Miao women on festive occasions.
Known as "Hoomei", it is special because one throat can produce three different sounds at the same time. Hugejiltu, 50 years old, is an inheritor of the Hoomei art. Awarded many times in international vocal contests, he calls it a basic skill to be able to sing the three different sounds at once. The magical art has been passed down for over two thousand years. Most pieces were short songs and taught in oral forms. Without any professional coaching environment, and old singers gradually passing away, the art almost died out.
The magical art has been passed down for over two thousand years. Most pieces were short songs and taught in oral forms. Without any professional coaching environment, and old singers gradually passing away, the art almost died out.
The magical art has been passed down for over two thousand years. Most pieces were short songs and taught in oral forms.
Hugejiltu, 50 years old, is an inheritor of the Hoomei art. Awarded many times in international vocal contests, he calls it a basic skill to be able to sing the three different sounds at once.
Hugejiltu, 50 years old, is an inheritor of the Hoomei art.
In 2009, Hoomei was listed as an item of World intangible cultural heritage. As well as starting up a class for Hoomei, Hugejiltu also set up the Inner Mongolian Hoomei Association.
In 2009, Hoomei was listed as an item of World intangible cultural heritage.
As well as starting up a class for Hoomei, Hugejiltu also set up the Inner Mongolian Hoomei Association.
The unique culture of the Qiang ethnic minority in Southwest China´s Sichuan Province, has spread through the use of traditional musical instruments, such as the Qiang flute and the Qiang mouth-strings. The two instruments usually accompany each other, with the flute often played by a man, and the mouth-strings played by a woman. The Qiang mouth-strings are often heard during major festivals such as New Year.
The instrument is made of bamboo sheet, can play beautiful music. It has a length of 11cm and measures 0.15cm wide.
It´s not clear how old the instrument is, but its history is certainly ancient. Fairytales speak of the mouth-strings as an instrument made by a young man for the girl he has fallen in love with.
It is very difficult to play the Qiang mouth-strings. The music depends on the shape of the mouth and the strength of the player´s breath. It´s rare to find people who can play the instrument in Wang´s village.
As the mouth-strings are no longer a precious gift between young lovers, not many young people are willing to learn how to make or play the instrument. The difficulties of playing it can put people off.
Called "the flower on the Tibetan Plateau, Regong art is an important part of Tibetan Buddhism with a history of more than 700 years. It has long been popular with ethnic Tibetan and Tu folk artists in Qinghai Province, Sichuan Province and many other areas. Regong art is an ancient style that includes paintings, murals, thangka, barbola, and sculptures, and was listed with the first batch of China´s national-level intangible cultural heritage items. Under the new policy, funds are provided to inheritors who conduct required activities and recruit apprentices to inherit traditional culture.
Called "the flower on the Tibetan Plateau, Regong art is an important part of Tibetan Buddhism with a history of more than 700 years.
Regong art is an ancient style that includes paintings, murals, thangka, barbola, and sculptures, and was listed with the first batch of China´s national-level intangible cultural heritage items.
One national inheritor of Regong art is Niang Ben. He opened the Regong Art Academy in 2006 in order to inherit, showcase and sell the works.
Under the new policy, funds are provided to inheritors who conduct required activities and recruit apprentices to inherit traditional culture.
There is a small ethnic group living in Yunnan called Nu people who boast a splendid cultural legacy. And visitors to the Yunnan Nationalities Village can see some of that culture on display with live demonstrations. Twenty-one-year-old Zhou Yanming proudly sings the tunes of the Nu ethnic group, while playing the Nu people´s distinctive musical instrument. Presenting the folk art of his hometown to a wider audience has been Zhou´s biggest dream.
Zhou Yanming´s hometown is a Nu community located near the Nu Jiang river valley in the west of Yunnan Province. He says his village fellows are all born singers and dancers. Although Nu people don´t have their own written language, they still manage to pass down their cultural heritage orally.
"I like to sing and dance. I can show my talent here and at the same time, show our cultural tradition. I´m happy everyday." "My goal is to let our cultural traditions live on. I want future generations to sing, dance, and tell stories like us."
Zhou says his hard work here is paying off, because many people get to know his people and culture through his performance. He even earns a bonus: he has made lots of friends with people from all around the world.
Dongjing music is a type of Chinese ritual music traditionally performed by the Nakhi people in Huize county of southern China´s Yunnan Province. Passed from the central plains area of China during the Ming and Qing Dynasty, the ancient musical form has become a well-known brand in the local culture as well as the tourism market. Dongjing music of Yunnan Province differs according to where you are. For instance, Dongjing music in Lijiang embodies the culture of Nakhi minority and in Dali, it manifests the culture of the Bai minority. However, in Huize, it displays the Han culture and is named Tanglang Music.
Dongjing music is a type of Chinese ritual music traditionally performed by the Nakhi people in Huize county of southern China´s Yunnan Province. Passed from the central plains area of China during the Ming and Qing Dynasty, the ancient musical form has become a well-known brand in the local culture as well as the tourism market.
Dongjing music is a type of Chinese ritual music traditionally performed by the Nakhi people in Huize county of southern China´s Yunnan Province.
Dongjing music in Lijiang embodies the culture of Nakhi minority and in Dali, it manifests the culture of the Bai minority. However, in Huize, it displays the Han culture and is named Tanglang Music.
Dongjing music in Lijiang embodies the culture of Nakhi minority and in Dali, it manifests the culture of the Bai minority.
However, in Huize, it displays the Han culture and is named Tanglang Music.
Huize Dongjing music orchestra always uses Chinese instruments such as the gong, muyu, pipa, guzheng and so on. In 2006, Huize Dongjing music was included in the protection list of the first batch of intangible cultural heritage in Yunnan Province.
Huize Dongjing music orchestra always uses Chinese instruments such as the gong, muyu, pipa, guzheng and so on.
In 2006, Huize Dongjing music was included in the protection list of the first batch of intangible cultural heritage in Yunnan Province.
