The Shibi culture has been dying out. Only when researchers come would he have a chance to sing those age-old tunes. The oral history of the brave Qiang people has become written tales filed away for academic interest.

Recently, the Teacher's Vocational School of Aba Tibetan and Yi autonomous prefecture invited Wang and other venerable Shibis to record the scriptures. Before the recording, they burned incense and paper to their god, asking for forgiveness. "Today we chant the scriptures for the interests of our nation. Please don't be angry," they said.

Sadly, the earthquake took away several masters who had joined Wang in the recording. The future looked bleaker than ever. Ironically, though, the quake has rekindled public interest in the Qiang culture. National meetings were held and notable scholars voiced concern about the fate of the old tradition. Survivors of Qiang villages were invited to Beijing to perform to the whole nation their folk songs and dances.

Still, Wang fears that once the Qiang people whose villages have been totally destroyed relocate to mingle with others, they will easily lose their cultural identity.

From his ruined house, Wang retrieves the goat skin drum. As he beats it on the fallen roof, his face turns solemn and sad. People who died in earthquake do not enjoy the same burial rituals - they are cremated and put to rest under a simple earthen mound, says the old man.

One of his grand-nieces once asked him: "Grandpa, you sing in Qiang language, do you feel embarrassed?"

Looking at the young girl, Wang replied slowly: "Do you feel embarrassed singing in Chinese? Don't be afraid of being laughed at, for we are the Qiang people."

This story first appeared in The Beijing News

(China Daily July 8,2008)