'Hidden' ethnic arts come to fore at Beijing festival

Traditional cultural activities of different ethnic groups in China, including the Yi people's celebrations when they chase field pests with torches, the khoomei singing among the Mongolians and antiphonal chanting of the Miao people, are all part of the ongoing Fourth China Ethnic Groups Arts Festival.

Hundreds of singers and dancers from nearly a dozen ethnic groups are performing shows in Beijing through Monday. The festival began on Oct 12.

According to festival director Yang Chengzhi, the shows enable audiences to better understand people from the country's many ethnicities.