Saving the jia

A lifetime dedicated to recording the ancient oral tradition of the Miao ethnic group has won Wang Fenggang many accolades, but the severely disabled man's greatest reward is knowing the culture will be preserved for future generations. Li Jun reports.

The majority of the ethnic Miao people live in Guizhou province, where their ancient lore called the Jia (or Jaxlil in the Miao language) has been passed down through generations.

The Jia is the story of the Miao - their myths about the beginning of the world, their history, laws and customs. Like the Bible for Christians, the Jia contains all the values and beliefs of Miao.