Children wear ethic costumes to welcome the New Year in the Qiang calendar at Li county of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, October 28, 2008. The Qiang New Year (October 1 in the lunar calendar), falls on October 29, 2008. Most ethnic Qiang people live in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture. Currently busy with reconstruction work after the May 12 earthquake, ethnic Qiang took time out to celebrate the Qiang New Year with prayers and blessings.

Ethic Qiang women sing a song to welcome the first day of the Qiang New Year which falls on October 29 (October 1 in the lunar calendar).

Ethic Qiang people sing a song to welcome the first day of the Qiang New Year which falls on October 29 (October 1 in the lunar calendar).

(China Daily / Xinhua News Agency October 31, 2008)