By outdoor-nature-child.com Liuzhou, Guangxi – October 6, 2023: A Cultural Guardian among the Miao Youth Returning Home
Interviewer: Can you share your journey and what led to your decision to return to your hometown?
Liang Qiang: As a child, I was always fascinated by the world beyond my village. However, after spending years away, I began to appreciate how unique and valuable my own culture is. That realization inspired me to come back and contribute to my hometown’s development.
Interviewer: What are your childhood memories of your hometown?
Liang Qiang: I have vivid memories of life in our village filled with vibrancy. The Miao New Year was especially lively! We celebrated with feasts where people would butcher pigs, and at night, the sounds of young folks playing the lusheng—a traditional flute—filled the air. It was such a festive atmosphere. Sadly, as opportunities improved, many young people moved away from the mountains, and that led to a decline in our Miao culture.
Interviewer: Have there been any recent efforts to preserve your culture?
Liang Qiang: Absolutely. In recent years, there’s been a growing national emphasis on rural development. We revived the traditional Miao Lagu lusheng ceremony in 2018 after a 23-year break. The “300th Yaogao Lagu Festival,” which boasts a history of over 400 years, has now become one of Guangxi’s most iconic traditions.
Interviewer: What was your reaction to the festival’s revival?
Liang Qiang: I was overjoyed! While I was working in Liuzhou, I composed an original song called “Yaogao Yaogao” to celebrate the “300th Yaogao Lagu Festival.” Experiencing the festival for the first time was transformative for me. Wearing my Miao traditional costume and performing felt incredibly proud. Watching my hometown come alive with the drums and lusheng melodies again was exhilarating.
Interviewer: What inspired your return home?
Liang Qiang: The breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Miao Mountain are treasures that deserve to be celebrated. I wanted to promote our culture, so I saved up for my first camera and taught myself photography through online resources. I found it relatively easy because I’ve always had a bit of an artistic side.
Interviewer: What kind of content do you create?
Liang Qiang: I focus on capturing the simplicity and beauty of daily life in the Miao community—like girls working in the fields, people dancing in traditional attire at festivals, and the tranquil scenes of our wooden houses blanketed in snow. My videos have attracted millions of views online, and people often comment on the beauty of our village and culture.
Interviewer: How has your work impacted tourism in the area?
Liang Qiang: At the Moti Ling Highland Pasture in Yaogao, I noticed visitors from Guizhou camping there after watching my videos. I believe showcasing our culture can positively influence my hometown. Even small changes feel significant to me.
Interviewer: What are your future plans for promoting your culture?
Liang Qiang: In 2022, I initiated a program for local youth to learn about lusheng culture, which resulted in a video titled “Yaogao Students Welcome the Beijing Winter Olympics” that won three awards on a national public cultural platform. Our village is gaining more recognition, and younger generations are eager to keep our cultural legacy alive. But I know there’s still more work ahead. My next goal is to create content centered around agriculture and build a brand for our local products through online platforms.