"Now we have over 10 people playing the lusheng in the troupe, mostly young people. We usually play over 20 songs during the festival as well as dance to the music," he adds."Miao people believe that music and dance are ways of communicating with their ancestors."

Luo notes that like many other traditional festivals in China, the Guzang Festival is about togetherness, and provides opportunities for people who leave their hometown and work and live elsewhere to return and come together.

Zhao Yandi in Guiyang contributed to this story.

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn