Ethnic instrument competition hits the high notes in Nanming

Participators in the first Guizhou Bouyei suona competition line up for a group photo after the event. It took place in the Nanming district of Guiyang, in southwestern Guizhou province, on Nov 2. [Photo/gywb.cn]

The first Guizhou Bouyei suona competition was held in Nanming district in Guiyang, in southwestern Guizhou province on Nov 2, attracting the participation of 27 teams from cities, autonomous prefectures and counties in the province.

Organizers said the Bouyei ethnic group is a minority ethnic people in China, who have a long history of growing rice. They are known as "the people of the rice paddies" and the suona is a kind of Chinese oboe.

After fierce competition, two first prizes, four second prizes and six third prizes were awarded respectively.

Organizers said that during the event, cultural researchers, experts and scholars majoring in Bouyei culture -- from various cities, autonomous prefectures, counties and scientific research institutions -- also participated in a culture seminar on Bouyei folk songs.

They conducted exchanges and held discussions about folk culture, cultural heritage protection, innovation and development, in order to help promote the inheritance and development of the Bouyei folk song culture.