In the heart of China's southwestern Daliang Mountains, two eighth-grade students from Xiangrong Middle School are capturing international attention through their soulful preservation of Yi cultural heritage. Mo Se Wusha and Ergu Wurimo, aged 14, recently delivered a stirring performance of the traditional Yi folk song Ajelu (Don't Be Afraid) during a school cultural event in Xide County.
The teenagers' authentic interpretation of the centuries-old melody has resonated far beyond their mountainous community, with video recordings circulating widely across Chinese social platforms this March. The song's message of courage and resilience holds particular significance for the Yi ethnic group, whose population of nearly 10 million primarily resides in the Liangshan region.
Cultural preservation initiatives have gained momentum across the Chinese mainland in 2026, with educational institutions increasingly incorporating traditional arts into curricula. Xiangrong Middle School, located in one of Liangshan's most remote areas, has become a model for this approach through its music and language programs.
Ethnomusicologists highlight the performance's timing during this year's cultural revitalization efforts. 'These students aren't just singing – they're keeping alive an oral tradition that survived dynastic changes and modernization,' noted Professor Li Weimin of Sichuan University's Folklore Institute. 'Their voices bridge generations.'
