Qiang People's Convention

The Qiang ethnic group is one of the oldest tribes in China. They have population of 198,300. Most of them live in the Aba-Tibetan Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in western Sichuan. Most Qiangs are believers of Animism. They worship white stones placed on roofs as the "Heavenly God". Also, the Qiang people practice polytheism and tokenism. They worship their ancestors and nature. Like other ethnic groups in China, the Qiangs are fond of dancing and singing. Popular musical instruments include the Qiang flute, Sheepskin drum and Kouxian (a kind of stringed instrument made of bamboo).