Festival of the Hua Miao, Guizhou Province, China. 1997

Tonggu, Guizhou Province, China. 1990\n

Hua Miao Village, Guizhou Province, China. 1990

Girls singing in front of straw rope charm, Guizhou Province, China. 1997

Festival of the Qing Miao, Guizhou Province, China. 1990

Kam (Dong) tribal village, Guizhou Province, China. 1997

Festival of the Hua Miao, Guizhou Province, China. 1997

Kam (Dong) youth playing lusheng, Guizhou Province, China. 1997

The Tita dance (踢踏舞) is a form of mass dance performed for entertainment, passed down in various regions inhabited by the Zang people. It is very lively and fast paced. ‘Ti(踢)’ means to kick in mandarin Chinese, while ‘Ta(踏)' means to step. Together, ’Tita’ refers to the motion of energetic kicking and stepping. True to the name, the dance is characterized by stepping on the ground with thick and heavy boots in time to the beat to produce sounds. While the soles and heels of the feet alternate in tapping the ground, the torso moves along in harmony. The dancers wear colorful costumes, with bells around their waists and legs that ring out joyfully.\n\nThe Tita Dance used to be performed only in fall each year, in Zang temples. However, after its spread to the public, it was performed without restrictions, on every important occasion such as festivals, gatherings and celebrations. Originally, only men were allowed to dance the Tita Dance. The greater the number of participants, the more fervent the atmosphere and the grander the sight. The Tita Dance of the Sichuan region originated from Tibet, and is characterized by crisp and exuberant rhythms.\n\nCharacteristics:\n∙Stepping on the ground with heavy boots to make sounds\n\nPerformed by Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Region Ethnic Dance Company\nDirected by Liu lifu

The Tita dance (踢踏舞) is a form of mass dance performed for entertainment, passed down in various regions inhabited by the Zang people. It is very lively and fast paced. ‘Ti(踢)’ means to kick in mandarin Chinese, while ‘Ta(踏)' means to step. Together, ’Tita’ refers to the motion of energetic kicking and stepping. True to the name, the dance is characterized by stepping on the ground with thick and heavy boots in time to the beat to produce sounds. While the soles and heels of the feet alternate in tapping the ground, the torso moves along in harmony. The dancers wear colorful costumes, with bells around their waists and legs that ring out joyfully.\n\nThe Tita Dance used to be performed only in fall each year, in Zang temples. However, after its spread to the public, it was performed without restrictions, on every important occasion such as festivals, gatherings and celebrations. Originally, only men were allowed to dance the Tita Dance. The greater the number of participants, the more fervent the atmosphere and the grander the sight. The Tita Dance of the Sichuan region originated from Tibet, and is characterized by crisp and exuberant rhythms.\n\nCharacteristics:\n∙Stepping on the ground with heavy boots to make sounds\n\nPerformed by Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Region Ethnic Dance Company\nDirected by Liu lifu

The Tita dance (踢踏舞) is a form of mass dance performed for entertainment, passed down in various regions inhabited by the Zang people. It is very lively and fast paced. ‘Ti(踢)’ means to kick in mandarin Chinese, while ‘Ta(踏)' means to step. Together, ’Tita’ refers to the motion of energetic kicking and stepping. True to the name, the dance is characterized by stepping on the ground with thick and heavy boots in time to the beat to produce sounds. While the soles and heels of the feet alternate in tapping the ground, the torso moves along in harmony. The dancers wear colorful costumes, with bells around their waists and legs that ring out joyfully.\n\nThe Tita Dance used to be performed only in fall each year, in Zang temples. However, after its spread to the public, it was performed without restrictions, on every important occasion such as festivals, gatherings and celebrations. Originally, only men were allowed to dance the Tita Dance. The greater the number of participants, the more fervent the atmosphere and the grander the sight. The Tita Dance of the Sichuan region originated from Tibet, and is characterized by crisp and exuberant rhythms.\n\nCharacteristics:\n∙Stepping on the ground with heavy boots to make sounds\n\nPerformed by Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Region Ethnic Dance Company\nDirected by Liu lifu

The Tita dance (踢踏舞) is a form of mass dance performed for entertainment, passed down in various regions inhabited by the Zang people. It is very lively and fast paced. ‘Ti(踢)’ means to kick in mandarin Chinese, while ‘Ta(踏)' means to step. Together, ’Tita’ refers to the motion of energetic kicking and stepping. True to the name, the dance is characterized by stepping on the ground with thick and heavy boots in time to the beat to produce sounds. While the soles and heels of the feet alternate in tapping the ground, the torso moves along in harmony. The dancers wear colorful costumes, with bells around their waists and legs that ring out joyfully.\n\nThe Tita Dance used to be performed only in fall each year, in Zang temples. However, after its spread to the public, it was performed without restrictions, on every important occasion such as festivals, gatherings and celebrations. Originally, only men were allowed to dance the Tita Dance. The greater the number of participants, the more fervent the atmosphere and the grander the sight. The Tita Dance of the Sichuan region originated from Tibet, and is characterized by crisp and exuberant rhythms.\n\nCharacteristics:\n∙Stepping on the ground with heavy boots to make sounds\n\nPerformed by Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Region Ethnic Dance Company\nDirected by Liu lifu