Naxi dance protected in courtyard of Lijiang

Lijiang, where the ethnic Naxi people live, is a hot destination for tourists visiting Yunnan province. Cultural customs of the region such as papermaking, copper smithing and weaving have been protected as cultural legacies. Recently, the Leba dance has also been added to this list of protected legacies.

Li Wenxian, the seventh generation inheritor of Leba dance, heads the courtyard which has been established in the Changshui village of Lijiang.

Leba dance, a part of the town's well-known Dongba culture, originated as a religious dance performed during rituals, which are closely related to Tibetan Buddhism. The dance has evolved into a folk performance.

Li Wenxian, Inheritor, Leba Dance , said, "The dance has been passed down to the 9th and 10th generation of our family. We set up this courtyard to better protect and showcase this cultural legacy.