Eagle dancers spread their traditional wings

In 2017, a group from the Xinjiang Art Research Institute visited Qurban while they were filming a documentary on the eagle dance and the protection of intangible cultural heritage items.

Qurban said there was an urgent need to pass on the eagle dance to future generations.

"Patience is important for learning the eagle dance," he said. "Today, young people are occupied with working. Many of them go to big cities as migrant workers and we tend to hold fewer gatherings than we used to.

"Compared with yesteryear, fewer people can spare the time to learn the traditional folk dance."

Qurban still dances at family gatherings despite his advanced years. His favorite dance partner is his grandson who is now studying at Shanghai University of Sport.

Every time the grandson returns for a family reunion, they dance together to celebrate.