Two concerts featuring performers from nearly 10 ethnic groups from Southwest China were held on Aug 4 and 5, kicking off the annual NCPA August Chorus Festival.CHINA DAILY
Musicians and singers, representing the Nu, Lisu, Miao, Zhuang and Dong people, among others, kick start the NCPA August Chorus Festival.
Jiang Xiaochun's first musical instrument was a dabiya that his father made for him.
Growing up, Jiang, a musician, who belongs to the Nu ethnic group from the Nujiang Lisu autonomous prefecture, Yunnan province, earnestly learned and played the four-stringed, plucked instrument, which resembles a pipa, but is much smaller in size.
"The dabiya is like a totem for the Nu ethnic group. We take it wherever we go, even hunting and farming. For example, when a man expresses his affection for a woman, he plays the dabiya and sings rather than talking to her," says Jiang, 45.
"Because the Nu ethnic group has no written language, in the past, our ancestors used music to record our history and our daily lives. The dabiya is a musical instrument that belongs to every family of the Nu ethnic group," he adds.
Laurence Fox livestreams row with London bus driver after car and double
Former US senator from Indiana Joe Donnelly to step down as US ambassador to the Vatican
Vermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
One Extraordinary Photo: How a photographer elevated a photo of star Greta Gerwig in a flash
Republican lawmakers react to Trump verdict and rally to his defense
Barred from combat, women working as codebreakers, cartographers and coxswains helped D
Diplo showcases his buff body as he ditches his shirt during special Run Club workout at Barry's
Police, Army investigators following leads in killing of Fort Campbell soldier
Energy shutdowns hit Ukraine after Russian attack
Inflation ticked up in Europe in May. That likely won't stop a central bank rate cut next week