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They've been singing together 30 years. Started trying at 4 years old but singing seriously since ~11 years old
Qiang language is not written - learned in the heart
Biman means "father and mother" in Qiang language
"You Biman" means singing old songs
Old people sing first and young follow
Close eyes when listening - it will be more beautiful
-Sing song
Q: Many minorities have songs which are well known in China but not Qiang. Why?
A: (Zewang) They are very old but small, perhaps 300,000 and ~100,000 died in earthquake
so maybe 200,000 left. Not much presence in country. Many other minority groups had not heard of Qiang Zhu, they are one of the smallest,
In 2006 national young person contest they won bronze prize for minority song, so they are becoming better known.
[[strikethrough]] The fact [[/strikethrough]] They have no written language or transliteration standard so it's not easy to write down their songs
It doesn't matter if they're well known in China but they're brought their music here.
Come to their part of Szezuan
Q: Name of song they say & what it was about
A: As in most of their songs, 1st 2 lines are meaningless sylables
~ "Today the weather is very nice, the day is good our friends are coming together to drink"
Q: Will their culture survive
A: People who move away don't care about culture - only money
When they were young everybody could sing these songs, now only few
[[strikethrough]] It [[/strikethrough]] 2006 contest was important. government recognizing minority singing & winning
This has gotten more Qiang people interested in the songs
Before song contest few houses used traditional clothing but now more interested
Q: Can they teach others to sing this way
A: He can teach if you're willing to learn
Q: Has he tried with westerners?
A: Why not?
Song: "The Moon is Rising" (drinking song)