https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85148767073&doi=10.18848%2f2327-008X%2fCGP%2fv17i02%2f23-36&partnerID=40&md5=3a86b9b34b0e06ff9f1fc8933dfc950e

10.18848/2327-008X/CGP/v17i02/23-36

This is a qualitative investigation to examine the current state of intangible cultural heritage among the Miao people of Western Hunan and propose a pathway for its preservation. The Miao people of Jingzhou Miao and Dong Autonomous County practices a unique style of multi-voice choral singing that is suffering a decline in popularity alongside the dilution of Miao ethnic identity. This article combines documentary analysis and field study to analyze the preservation of Miao traditional knowledge. Data was collected in the field through observation, audio, and video recordings, and interviews with the local people of Jingzhou Miao and Dong Autonomous County, China. This information was then compared to existing literature on the Miao people of Jingzhou and other regions. Results reveal that Miao culture is in great need of systematic conservation. Despite resistance from locals, the primary transmitters of this unique singing culture are keen to see adaptations that enable Miao choral singing to permeate modern society, so long as the original essence of “ge teng” is retained. This article proposes ways to achieve this goal.