The Zhuang Chorus

Nong can perform the Poya Song Book in four different styles. She is also versed in other folk songs for different occasions, such as working in the field, greeting guests, bidding farewell, engagement, and toasting in-laws. She is the leading voice in the chorus at major Zhuang events, including the Double Third Festival (falling on the third day of the third month of the lunar calendar), the Long-duan Festival (the Zhuang Valentine’s Day), weddings and funerals. She has also participated in performances organized by the township, county and provincial governments, and has produced several albums.

The local government has made endeavors to preserve and promote the Poya Song Book. It has built a learning center in the village and established the Poya Song Book Chorus by recruiting Zhuang Opera players. Nong Fengmei is actively involved in this project, imparting the lore of the book’s songs and writings to many others. At present, two dozen of her fellow villagers can read and sing the songs.

In 2010 the Poya Song Book Chorus won the Award of Excellence at a CCTV singing contest. During the first Chinese Ethnic and Folk Music Week in 2014, the troupe gave four performances at the China Conservatory, the Central Conservatory of Music, Minzu University of China, and Tsinghua University, so igniting a Poya fever among Beijing audiences.

"The Poya Song Book Chorus is an innovative and effective method of preserving this cultural heritage as it has strong audience appeal. It is an inspiration to those who are striving to pass down other aspects of intangible cultural heritage," said He Yunfeng, art supervisor of the musical week and doctoral student tutor at the Central Conservatory of Music.