Tashi Angjiang was still sweating all over after just finishing a rehearsal of the Yushu Tibetan Yi Dance in the Theater of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities in Beijing on Wednesday.

Tashi Angjiang (front) performs the Cho Dance and Yi Dance in the Cultural Palace of Nationalities in Beijing on March 3, 2010. The special performances from Qinghai Province, part of the Show Activities of China's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Minorities, were held in Beijing on March 3, 2010. (Xinhua/Sun Yunlong)

"The dancing boots weigh about 15 kg, so he should naturally be tired out," said Renqing Zhande, head of a song and dance troupe from the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province. He served as an interpreter of this interview since Tashi Angjiang knows a little Chinese.

Tashi Angjiang was preparing for the special performances from Qinghai Province, part of the Show Activities of China's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Minorities sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and the State Ethnic Affairs Commission from Feb. 27 to March 30.

The performances involved different ethnic groups such as Tibetan, Hui, Tu and consisted of five parts, including seven Tibetan programs such as the Tibetan folk songs, Chigu Dance, Cho Dance, Yi Dance and the Zhamunie Singing with String Instrument.

The Yi Dance was included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage. It is the combination of folk songs and dances with Tibetan characteristics. The dancing gestures originate from the horse riding, hunting and daily life of local farmers and herders. 
                                                                                       Source: People's Daily Online