Heritage and artistry of ethnic identity combine to provide ever-expanding opportunities, Yang Feiyue and Li Yingqing report.

Nestled in the lush mountains of Southwest China's Yunnan province, the small village of Laodabao was once connected to the outside world just by a rugged dirt road. Home to approximately 500 people of the Lahu ethnic group, the village offered limited opportunities for interactions with other communities. Yet, the lives of the Lahu people have never been devoid of joy.

By the edges of rice fields and around bonfires, traditional ethnic music and dance have been their unique way of expressing themselves.

For generations, these cherished traditions have transformed their village in Lancang Lahu autonomous county, Pu'er city, into a hidden cultural gem, rich with heritage and vibrant artistry.

In 2012, Laodabao was listed among the first batch of nationally recognized traditional villages in China, a testament to its rich cultural heritage and unique ethnic identity.

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However, the seclusion that helped preserve the tradition had kept the locals living on the margins, until Li Naluo came on the scene.

Born and raised in the village, the Lahu woman has put Laodabao on the map by tirelessly showcasing its rich traditions on stages across the country and abroad.

Since she led local villagers to found a Lahu culture company in 2013, more than 1,300 performances have been delivered nationwide.

To date, her troupe has recruited more than 200 villagers who get to make an income, ranging from 3,000-8,000 yuan ($415-1,106) a year, through delivering performances in their spare time.

"Our performers include people of all ages, from 3 years old to those in their 70s. It's beautiful to see everyone coming together through music and dance, while receiving extra income," says Li, who's in her 40s.

At the end of February, Li traveled to Beijing to receive the title of National March 8th Red-Banner Pacesetter, the highest honor presented by the All-China Women's Federation to recognize the country's outstanding women.

"This honor is not just mine; it belongs to everyone back in my hometown. I am deeply moved and grateful for their support," Li says.

Whether young or old, male or female, the Lahu people excel in swing dances accompanied by traditional instruments including the reed-pipe (lusheng) and drums, as well as a cappella singing, and harmonious choruses.

The songs of the Lahu people are deeply intertwined with nature and daily life.

They celebrate mountains, rivers, farmland, labor and love, expressing a profound reverence for the natural world and a heartfelt passion for life.

These songs are primarily passed down through oral tradition, without fixed musical scores.

The lyrics and melodies, handed down from generation to generation, retain their raw, natural charm and distinct ethnic character, while this method of transmission infuses Lahu music with a vibrant vitality and flexibility. The singing is often filled with joy and optimism, radiating a positive spirit even in the face of hardship, Li explains.

Growing up immersed in this rich cultural environment, Li says she was like any other child in the village.

"We learned to sing as soon as we could speak, and dance as soon as we could walk," she says.

One of the most enduring memories from her childhood is the image of her father playing the reed-pipe and her mother singing folk songs under the soft glow of moonlight.

When she was 13, her father introduced her to the guitar, selling a pig to afford the instrument.

With no formal training, Li taught herself to play.

"I took it upon myself to create melodies based on my feelings toward the life around me," she recalls.

In 2005, Li joined a local Lahu art organization, where her natural musical talent and deep understanding of Lahu culture quickly set her apart.

At the time, the troupe was facing significant challenges, with few performance opportunities and low visibility. Li saw these struggles and then took the initiative to work with her peers to explore new forms of performance.

Li began to promote the performance initiative among her fellow villagers and encourage them to join.

"I convinced them how it can be business mixed with pleasure, while showcasing and preserving our culture," she says.

Things took a turn for the better in 2006 when Li led the troupe at the Yunnan Spring Festival gala, where their performance of the song Happy Lahu composed by Li set off waves of applause from the audience.

They continued to captivate audiences at an international tourism festival in the provincial capital Kunming in 2007.

As their fame spread, they made their way to national television programs like China's Got Talent. Invitations to perform in Beijing, Shanghai, and overseas destinations such as Japan, also came their way, earning the Lahu culture international acclaim.

The success had Li establish a cultural company in 2013 to better preserve and promote Lahu culture while creating sustainable economic opportunities for her community.

To better cater to the tourism market needs, Li has found innovative ways to blend tradition with modern elements.

"We have ancient Lahu tunes that record our history, and we also create modern songs that reflect contemporary life. Our traditional instruments, like the reed-pipe, are still central to our music, but we incorporate modern sounds to keep our culture vibrant and relevant," she explains.

Under her guidance, her brother Zha Nu opened a music-themed homestay in Laodabao.

Every corner, from the woven tapestries on the pillars to the murals, the stage in the main hall, and the fire pit in the courtyard, reflects his meticulous design.

"Once, I moved to Beijing to pursue my music dreams, but my heart always remained with my family and talented friends in the village," Zha says.

"Now, I want to use what I've learned to preserve our culture through music and dance, and build a better home for our community," he adds.

His homestay has benefited from the rising number of tourists to the village and he has performed original songs for them.

In his spare time, he also teaches traditional music and dance to young villagers.

Huang Lingfei, a professor with the Yunnan Arts University, notes that Laodabao has successfully preserved Lahu culture through iconic performances like the reed-pipe and swing dances, as well as classic songs such as Happy Lahu.

The village stands as a shining example of how cultural heritage and tourism can be seamlessly integrated, creating a model for others to follow, Huang says.

Local people got out of poverty as stipulated by the country in 2016.

Looking back, Li says she sometimes still has a hard time reconciling to the fact that what she loves from childhood could help her hometown escape poverty.

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Li says she also owes it to the rich opportunities for her to attend art training and learn from how other cultures transform their traditions into marketable crafts since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012.

In addition to art performance, Li has launched a handicraft program, which has now grown to involve over 60 local women. They create traditional Lahu embroidery featuring dogtooth patterns.

"They are symbols of our respect for dogs. These crafts not only preserve our culture but also provide income for families right at their doorsteps," Li says.

Speaking about her future plan, Li says she would continue to promote what her hometown has to offer.

"My mission is not just to share our music with the world but ensure that our culture thrives for generations to come," Li says.

Contact the writers at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn