Melody from exotic land - talk about folk musical instruments of Hui people

In western China, Ningxia(宁夏Níngxià) is located on the upper and middle reaches of the Yellow River. It is known for its lush fields(lush fields or gardens have a lot of very healthy grass or plants) and also for being beyond the Great Wall. The local culture of Ningxia developed through the assimilation(when people such as immigrants assimilate into a community or when that community assimilates them, they become an accepted part of it) of the cultures of the central plain and western regions. There have been many unique musical instruments developed in Ningxia. In the last century it was found that the wawu, mimi and kouxian, all Ningxia instruments, had evolved from the qiangdi (a kind of flute) and the huang (a kind of reed instrument).

The Hui(回族Huízú) people of Ningxia have unique skills they employ in crafting these instruments and using them in performances. Hui instruments are usually made in the shape of an ox or sheep, and are decorated with Hui-style patterns. Some of themusical instruments(乐器yuèqì) also have Arabic characters can also be found on some of the instruments. The instruments are easy to play and to carry.

Because of their beautiful and affecting sounds, Hui musical instruments were popular among Hui people of all ages. However, in recent years, the tradition of playing these musical instruments has gradually been left behind. Some Hui youths don't even know about the wawu. Many performers have passed away, making the situation worse. It is now necessary to protect the Hui musical instruments, as well as the cultural connotations(the connotations of a particular word or name are the ideas or qualities which it makes you think of).