Sanya teacher inherits Li folk songs

From ancient times to the present, members of the Li ethnic group have been deeply nourished by Li folk songs. Fu Tianzhi, vice-chairman of the Sanya Civil Artists Association and director of the Sanya Musicians Association, is one member of the Li ethnic group who has a strong attachment to Li folk songs.

Born in Baoqian village, Sanya's Tianya district, the now 45-year-old is a math teacher at Sanya Yuhong Primary School.

In the past 20 to 30 years, fewer and fewer people have been willing to learn Li folk songs due to the influence of popular music. Fu thought that he had the obligation and ability to inherit Li folk songs to ensure that this ancient art could be passed on to future generations.

Over the years, he has insisted on singing and composing, as well as spreading the culture of Li folk songs. He has also taken young people to perform and participate in competitions. Through fans he has attracted in this art form, many are young people and foreigners. Li Jing from Guangxi Normal University is one of them who expressed the willingness to learn Li folk songs.

According to rough statistics, Fu has composed 70 to 80 songs in the past 10 years. Every song he makes is full of respect and expresses love for the land of Hainan.

Fu and his team have performed in Kaifeng, Hohhot, Hong Kong, Macao, and other places, spreading Li culture as they go. "Popularity and tradition do not have to be mutually exclusive," he said, "The two can complement each other and achieve good results."

Fu Tianzhi teaches Li folk songs in a training class. [Photo/Sanya Daily]