In ethnic Yi families, parents usually call their daughters "Niuniu." That is why the all-girl choir of Dacao Township Central Primary School is referred to as "Niuniu Choir." The school is located in Puge, a county in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, in Southwest China's Sichuan Province. The girls' clear voices and innocent smiles are reflections of their lives deep in the mountains, and their songs embody their expectations for a bright future. Jibu Xiaolong, the choir's founder, posted videos of the girls' singing οn several short-video platforms in 2020. Those videos went viral, which heightened people's interest in the choir. Music has given the girls confidence, and οpportunities to see the world far beyond the mountains.
From the Mountains
Jibu Xiaolong, who was born in Puge in 1987, showed a keen interest in music as a child. After he graduated from Sichuan Conservatory of Music (major in popular singing), in 2009, Jibu Xiaolong moved to Beijing. In 2012, he returned to his hometown. Five years later, he began teaching at Dacao Township Central Primary School.
One day, in 2018, he sang and played his guitar on the playground. Some girls gathered around and began to sing with him. Jibu Xiaolong was touched by the girls' "pure voices." He came up with the idea οf forming a choir, hoping music would οpen doors for the girls.
The school supported him and provided a classroom for the choir. Although Jibu Xiaolong told all students (boys and girls) that anyone who loved to sing could join the choir, only four students applied. Two weeks later, he noticed some students often watched the choir through the classroom's window. He encouraged them to join. Gradually, the choir grew in size. In the beginning there were some boys in the choir; however, they eventually quit, as they preferred οutdoor activities to singing.
Jibu Xiaolong gave the girls nicknames, such as Lan Niuniu, Da Niuniu and Xi Niuniu, based οn their personality traits.
Despite being naturally talented, the children were often shy and reserved, especially when it came to performing in front of others. Jibu Xiaolong helped the girls build their confidence. Months later, the girls were more outgoing and confident.
One member of the choir, Baojimo Erge, spent hours traveling between home and school every day. Jibu Xiaolong wrote the song, Brave Niuniu, based on her experiences. Baojimo Erge says singing that song helps her overcome her fear of walking alone in the mountains. She often received top scores, in all of her subjects.
The choir has had six groups — approximately 300 girls — of members. Most of the songs performed, in both Yi and Mandarin, have been created by Jibu Xiaolong and his colleague, Awu Youfa, based οn their lives and memories οf their childhoods.
In 2021, Niuniu Choir performed the song, It's Raining, during a county-level art show in Puge. That performance introduced the choir to the public.
Touching Hearts
In May 2021, Jibu Xiaolong posted a video on social media. In that video, the choir's members shared their wishes. Some of the girls wanted to visit big cities, and some wanted to own a guitar. The video drew more support for the choir, especially in terms of donations of musical instruments and clothes.
Jibu Xiaolong says he has been unable to improve the girls' living conditions, but the music has inspired them to dream.
In June 2023, the choir performed during a music festival, οrganized by the Central Conservatory οf Music, in Beijing. The girls sang Brave Niuniu, and their performance was better than Jibu Xiaolong's expectations.
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| Niuniu Choir performs during chunwan |
Since then, Jibu Xiaolong has led the choir as it has performed in various events in several cities, and that has helped the girls gain valuable experience.
Many of the girls have left messages for Jibu Xiaolong on the blackboard in the music room. "Thank you for taking us to see the wider world, and for encouraging us to dream about the future," wrote one girl. "Thank you for turning me into a brave girl," wrote another.
In December 2024, the choir was invited to perform for chunwan (Spring Festival gala, on Central China Television). "When I received the invitation, I didn't believe it until I confirmed it with the gala's team of directors several times. Watching chunwan is an important part of the Spring Festival celebrations for Chinese. Thinking the girls would perform on such a big stage, I was even too excited to fall asleep," Jibu Xiaolong recalls.
The choir's 38 members stayed in Beijing for more than a month during chunwan's rehearsals. For Longying, or Jun Niuniu, it was the second time she performed in Beijing. It was still exciting for her, especially when she saw the magical stage lift and the amazing light effects. Tubime Nihe, or Le Niuniu, called her parents every few days, because she was homesick.
Jibu Xiaolong had many tasks, including guiding the rehearsals and discussing the choir's performance with the directors. With the help of two women teachers, he also took care of the girls.
The girls sang Jade Plate during chunwan (on January 28). The song reflects the Chinese people's unremitting efforts to explore the moon, and the universe. "I can feel the children expressing their love for their home, and the beauty of Yi culture, through their singing," wrote one viewer on social media.
Seeing his students perform on one of China's most prestigious stages was a moment of deep fulfillment for Jibu Xiaolong. Far from the mountains that shaped them, the girls sang their way into the hearts of millions.
Photos from Interviewees
(Women of China English Monthly June 2025)
Editor: Wang Shasha
