Ngawa Culture

As the second-largest Tibetan region in Sichuan and the main concentration of Qiang people in China, Aba prefecture boasts strong ethnic-featured cultural resources with a wide range of types, which was called "the Nationality Corridor" by Fei Xiaotong, the famous ethnologist and sociologist in China. For thousands of years, all the ethnic groups in Aba prefecture have made great contribution to national culture and folk art with distinct regional characteristics, including original Tibetan and Qiang songs and dances, story-telling, Tibetan and Qiang operas, etc. In total, there are 19 national intangible cultural heritages (ICHs) projects in Aba prefecture.

Guozhuang Dance

For the Tibetan, dance and song are inseparable. Guozhuang is one of the three major Tibetan folk dances, together with "Xianzi" and "Reba". It is a kind of self-entertaining and group dance. People are singing and dancing in a circle around a campfire or stove during the festivals or the leisure time, which is seldom accompanied by musical instrument.

Qiang Dance

Dance also holds fundamental importance in Qiang people’s life. There are four types of traditional Qiang dance, including joyous, religious, ceremonial and meeting dances. The most famous one is the Salang(Qiang’s Guozhuang). They dance Salang during a major holiday, wedding,or at leisure time. In funerals, another type of Salang dance with special characteristics is performed. Religious Dances are also important to Qiang people.

Tibetan Operas

Tibetan opera, the traditional opera of Tibet, has a wide variety of types, including songs, dances, storytelling, chants and drama to tell stories. Originated more than 600 years ago, it is more than 400 years earlier than Beijing opera, which is known as the "living fossil" of Tibetan culture.

Qiang Operas

It is a folk opera of Qiang people with strong religious colors that integrates folk sacrifice activities and Dramatic Play, which was circulated in Mao county, Wenchuan county, Li county, Songpan, Danba county, Beichuan, etc. Now it only remains in Li county. Shibi is the most famous one that was performed bu the priests.

Qiang Embroidery

With distinct ethnic character, the folk carfts Qiang Embroidery has the patterns and designs of Qiang traditional symbols, such as sheep and flowers. Nowadays, the Qiang people still wear their traditional ethnic costumes. Yunyun shoes and embroidered aprons are the typical works of Qiang Embroidery.

Qiang Flute

Qiang Flute is a vertical flute that is made from bamboo pipes at the length of two 15cm to 20cm with the same holes on each side of the pipes and bounded together with silk threads. It is mainly used for solo performance to express homesickness and longings.

Qiang Carving

Qiang carving makes the place where the Qiang people live, most of which are stone carved with white outside. The angels on the roof is like a cat ear. White is revered by Qiang people and the stone is regards as the god.

Qiang’ Red

It is the token of the Qiang people to pray for good luck. Qiang people hangs the red thin piece of cloth on the branches of tree in front of the temple to pray every year, which is a solemn rituals for the Qiang people in the long-term social intercourse. Now they also offer the red to guests, younger generation and inferiors.The message of "offering red" is a blessing for happy for a lifetime.