Yuan Zhiping, principal dancer with the Yunnan Provincial Song and Dance Ensemble, has once again drawn widespread attention on Chinese social media with a new dance inspired by the culture of the Yi ethnic group.
Released ahead of the Yi Torch Festival, the short video blends elements of the Yi people's traditional Zuojiaowu, or Left Foot Dance, with the music of the small sanxian, a three-stringed lute, as part of Yuan's ongoing effort to present Yunnan's ethnic cultures through contemporary dance.
Yuan, who has Yi ancestry, said his heritage has given him a deeper understanding of the dance tradition. "The Torch Festival is full of passion and vitality," he said. "I hope this dance conveys the joy, freedom, and exuberant spirit that the festival represents."
The release followed another viral success for Yuan. His performance of the traditional Jingpo knife dance, filmed on a floating boardwalk at the Caohai Wetland by Dianchi Lake in Kunming, attracted widespread attention.
Yuan said Yunnan's diverse ethnic cultures have provided endless inspiration for his creative work. "Yunnan is home to a remarkable diversity of ethnic groups and cultures," he said. "Through my performances, I hope more people around the world can discover the province's unique cultural richness."
