But for many, the quake has actually reignited interest in Qiang culture.

Director Cao Ping said, "For a minority with no written language, the art and culture of the Qiang group has been orally passed down. This show is intended to introduce audiences to how Qiang culture has amazingly remained intact over thousands of years. "

The director believes that the more you know about it, the more you love it. Backstage many audience members were so interested that they were keen to learn some of the skills performed by the Qiang actors.

With this warm reception, "Breath of Qiang" may become a model for others who are struggling to preserve and resurrect traditional ethnic cultures.