Jiao Ayi| 《嬌阿依》

李春蓉

On a fine morning， our class visited ChiyouJiuli City.

At 10：30 in the morning， in the Miao cultural square， thousands of Miaopeople danced on Huashan and sang Jiao Ayi， thus opened the 10th ChinaWujiang Cai Huashan Festival. The scene was a sea of happy songs anddances. The elder told us "Jiao Ayi" in Miao language means "beautiful andkind girls". It is a loud and clear song for Miao people to express love and singa better life after work， which has been sung in Pengshui County， southeastChongqing， for thousands of years. Originated from the profound historicaland cultural genes of Pengshui， Jiao Ayi is different from Miao folk songs inother places. And it has become one of the signature songs of Pengshui Miaofolk songs now. Furthermore， it was twice shortlisted in the Original EcologicalFinal of CCTV Youth Song Competition， and participated in Domestic EthnicMinority Art Performances （國內少數民族藝術表演） many times.

This song， which originated from ancient times， has witnessed the longand splendid folk culture of this land， as well as the passion and romance ofthe children of Miao township. And what makes me most proud is that it hasbeen included in the expanded list of national intangible cultural heritage protection projects.