The Miao ethnic group’s folk songs, known as “flying songs,” are a cherished part of their cultural heritage, especially in the counties of Kaili, Jianhe, Leishan, Taijiang and Huangping in southwest China’s Guizhou Province. These songs are deeply woven into the Miao people’s daily life, accompanying them through every milestone, from fieldwork and weddings to births, home-building, love and social gatherings.
As an oral tradition passed down through generations, the exact origins of the Miao people’s “flying songs” remain shrouded in mystery. However, their unique style developed in response to the challenges of their mountainous terrain. To communicate across valleys and ridges, singers had to project their voices, leading to the powerful and expressive vocal style that characterizes these songs.
(Video provided by Jianhe Convergent Media Center, edited by CGTN’s Zhao Ying.)