“At the temple fairs held during the Spring Festival, all Juzhang Music troupes gather in Fancheng to compete with each other, and our troupe always receives the biggest audience,” Liu declares with pride. A performer’s skills are tested by his trumpet blowing ability. With cheeks puffed, the trumpeter circularly breathes through his nose, allowing him to blow continuously for hours at a time. Shows also feature dual trumpeters, who blow their own trumpets while controlling the valves of their partner’s. Perhaps the most interesting part of a performance is the gong throwing. Two performers throw their gongs high into the air and then catch them before they hit the ground. They don’t just throw the gongs casually, but do so to the beat of the rhythm of the trumpets. While traveling through the air, the gongs generate a melodic whistle.

The plaque hanging on the wall of Liu’s house reads “Tobacco Plantation Model,” and indicates that the family once made a living growing tobacco. The revenues from performing Juzhang Music were just additional income. In 1990, Liu went to the county seat of Nanzhang, where he and his wife started a shoe business. So far, they have opened three stores, and are able to comfortably support their family. Still, in his spare time, Liu often returns to his village to perform Juzhang Music.

But due to the rapid modernization of China, ancient Juzhang Music, which has existed for nearly 3,000 years, is on the verge of extinction. “Two of my brothers can perform the folk art like me, but only one in the next generation knows how to blow a trumpet,” Liu sighs, pointing at 18-year-old Liu Chenshan who stood nearby.

“In the past, I didn’t recognize how precious Juzhang Music was,” Liu continues. “In recent years, many researchers came to me to learn about the traditional art. I decided to perform once again.” Over the past two years, Liu has dedicated himself to promoting the ancient style, enlisting the help of renowned professors to compile a repertoire of Juzhang Music, and traveling to various cities inviting various folklorists to take photos and record the music of his troupe. He also plans to build a website to recruit new students. His ultimate goal is to help the folk art apply for “intangible cultural heritage” status. Liu has made up his mind to devote the rest of his life to the spread of Juzhang Music.

In addition to the Shaman Dance and Juzhang Music, Nanzhang has many other cultural curiosities, including the Grass-Filtered Wine Dance, Donggong Stilt Dance, Zhanghe Fish Lanterns, Manhe Farmer’s Song, and Farmer’s Gong and Drum. Over thousands of years, these folk art forms have enriched a sense of community for local people.