Aerial photo shows Nyima and his apprentices performing Jiuhe Zhuo dance in Jiuhe Village of Qonggyai County in Shannan, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 1, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

Jiuhe Zhuo dance, originated in Qonggyai County of Shannan in southwest China's Tibet, has a history of more than 1,300 years. It has been a favorite dancing form for local people in Shannan to pray for good luck since ancient times and was dubbed waist drum dance in Tibet.

Apprentices of Nyima perform Jiuhe Zhuo dance in Jiuhe Village of Qonggyai County in Shannan, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 1, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

Nyima, an inheritor of Jiuhe Zhuo dance, which is a national intangible cultural heritage, began to learn the dance from his father at the age of nine and has been dedicated to Zhuo dance performance for over 60 years. His performance once won a national award for folk arts.

Nyima performs Jiuhe Zhuo dance in Jiuhe Village of Qonggyai County in Shannan, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 1, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

Nyima performs Jiuhe Zhuo dance in Jiuhe Village of Qonggyai County in Shannan, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 1, 2020. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Photo taken on July 1, 2020 shows Nyima in Jiuhe Village of Qonggyai County in Shannan, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.(Xinhua/Sun Fei)

After decades of study of the dance, Nyima has formed his unique style. During the performance, he plays the role of leading dancer and controls the movements and rhythm of the dance. Nyima has trained dozens of apprentices and formed a Zhuo dance performing team in Jiuhe Village.

Now, young dancers of the team often perform in different places. The Zhuo dance has become an important approach to reducing poverty for local villagers.

Nyima interacts with pupils at a primary school in Qonggyai County in Shannan, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Purbu Zhaxi)

Nyima and his apprentices perform Jiuhe Zhuo dance in Jiuhe Village of Qonggyai County in Shannan, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 1, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

Nyima (C) and his apprentices perform Jiuhe Zhuo dance in Jiuhe Village of Qonggyai County in Shannan, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 1, 2020. (Xinhua/Purbu Zhaxi)

Nyima and his apprentices perform Jiuhe Zhuo dance in Jiuhe Village of Qonggyai County in Shannan, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 1, 2020. (Xinhua/Purbu Zhaxi)

Nyima (C) and his apprentices perform Jiuhe Zhuo dance in Jiuhe Village of Qonggyai County in Shannan, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 1, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)