Surrounded by mountains, Zaidang Village in Rongjiang County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture in Guizhou Province has been inhabited by Dong ethnic people for generations. Nourished by nature, the people there are characterized by a simple and easygoing temperament.

Their tradition of passing on culture and knowledge through music is exemplified in the Grand Song of the Dong ethnic group, a folk chorus performance that was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2009.

This harmonious folk music could make a name for itself without a master singer. But it's easier with one. Hu Guanmei, one of the representative inheritors of the Grand Song of the Dong at the national level, works hard to help people master the music.

Hu, 65, has been singing Dong songs since she was a child. She is proficient in many singing skills and is famous in her village. Since Dong songs can only be passed down through the mouths of singers, the most important thing Hu has been concerned about for decades is the inheritance of the Grand Song of the Dong.

Under Hu's guidance, her two daughters, Yang Xiuzhu and Yang Xiumei, became excellent singers, winning many music competitions, including the silver prize for original ecological singing at the 12th National Youth Singer TV Competition in 2006. They even performed in France and Spain.

In addition to teaching her own children, she has been teaching kids in her village and neighboring ones.

In recent years, Hu was invited to teach kids to sing Dong songs at schools in the town every week, so she often leaves time for her own children on weekends.

During winter and summer vacations, she participates in cultural activities and helps guide the chorus of Dong songs. Many of the villagers are her students.

"I have been teaching songs for decades, there are too many people and too many awards to count," Hu said.

Singing Dong songs gives members of the ethnic group a positive attitude toward life. "Rice nourishes the body and songs nourish the soul," said Hu. "The Grand Song of Dong is complements people singing to life. The reason I teach songs is to pass on our folk music and to help people escape from pain and troubles and instead have the enjoyment of beauty."

Wang Jin contributed to this story.

(Source: chinadaily.com.cn)