On south Gansu grasslands, Nanmute Tibetan Opera has been passed down for more than two centuries. 

For a long period of time, the stage belonged exclusively to men. 

In 1978, Jiu Xicao stepped onto the stage and became one of the first generation of female performers of Tibetan Opera in south Gansu. 

From temple performances to a broader world, and from a time when “women were not allowed to participate” to an era when “women often play leading roles,” she has been both a witness to and a driving force behind this transformation. 

“Tibetan opera holds great significance for our ethnic group,” she said. 

“I hope young people will learn it well and pass it on.” 

Her simple words reflect the sincere and steadfast aspiration of an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage.