Music
16:41, 29-Dec-2018
Sihu shines at winter fishing ceremony in Jilin, NE China
Updated
16:36, 01-Jan-2019
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Every year, an ancient winter fishing ceremony at Chagan Lake in northeast China's Jilin Province attracts visitors from across the country and beyond.
A variety of live performances, such as music and traditional dancing on the lake by girls dressed in Inner Mongolian style, helps to create a festive atmosphere.
The sihu, a four-stringed bowed urheen, was a big attraction during a ceremony held Friday morning to signal the start of the winter fishing season.
Inner Mongolians play the sihu. /VCG Photo
Inner Mongolians play the sihu. /VCG Photo
The instrument is one of the oldest of the Inner Mongolian people and is most commonly used during harvest celebrations.
"Sihu is part of the winter fishing ceremony," said Qi Guang who has been playing the instrument for more than 10 years. "We'll play it when celebrating harvest."
He is keen to spread the art to more people. Therefore, he opened a sihu class for students at a local school. Over the past 11 years, many children have learned and even performed on stage.
"Because there is such a good opportunity to teach students at school, I want to teach them all that I know. I think it will be better to pass on sihu music and let more people know about it," Qi said.