Thai student discovers her heritage through folk dance

GUANGZHOU — Drawn by the rhythmic beats of drums and spirited shouts, Thanita Raemee, a 20-year-old Thai exchange student, navigated winding streets and bustling alleys until she arrived at the dynamic training grounds of the Ximen Women's Yingge Dance Team.

Founded in 1952, this pioneering all-female team is the first of its kind in the Chaoshan region of Guangdong province, with members ranging from teenagers to nearly 80-year-olds. Performers come from all walks of life — spirited young girls, agile middle-aged men and even food delivery workers dancing between shifts.

The Yingge dance, or "dance to the hero's song", is a form of folk dance popular in Guangdong that dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and is often performed during traditional Chinese festivals. As a dynamic blend of theater, dance and martial arts, it was listed among the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage in 2006.