The Yi people are one of China's oldest ethnic groups. And their cultural traditions are among those being celebrated at the annual Torch Festival in the southwestern city of Xichang. GUO TIANQI sat down with musician MOXI ZISHI, whose work is helping keep the centuries-old Yi language alive.

Musician MOXI ZISHI grew up in the mountains of southwest China's Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, where he learned the traditional songs of his community.

Decades latter, His haunting music in the Yi language is like a time capsule.

MOXI ZISHI Musician "Many people say that after listening to my songs, they feel that they must come to Liangshan once in their life. The ancient ethnic groups such as Yi, Tibetan and Qiang have all retained the habit of telling their culture, history and philosophy through folk songs. And these ancient songs themselves are very good music."

The Yi people are one of the oldest ethnic groups in China. They have their own written language, calendar, religion, and numerous folk songs. But the tradition is slowly fading away.

MOXI ZISHI  Musician "This loss is unconscious. Traditional music and language are at a disadvantage in the face of modern society. If the young generation of Yi people like the music written in their mother tongue, some of them will learn to sing those songs, and use them in real life. So, maybe adding some modern elements, the tradition will come back to life."

MOXI calls his style of music "psychedelic folk."

For him, traditional folk instruments, such as the mouth harp, can easily be integrated into modern compositions.

He says that's something that's already being seen in Xichang, the capital of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture.

MOXI ZISHI Musician "Xichang is very suitable for artistic creation. Annual art activities such as the film and drama festivals can attract artists to integrate with ancient lifestyle and culture. It's like a garden where everyone can cultivate their favorite plants, and compare and compete with each other."

And through his own musical creations, MOXI ZISHI is helping keep one of China's invaluable cultural identities alive for future generations.

GUO TIANQI, CGTN, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture.