A pastoral performance

Qinbugele, a native of the Mongolian ethnic group in Subei, founded Deji a decade ago, forming an ensemble that uses only traditional instruments — the sheepskin drum, the horse-head fiddle, and others unique to the region.

His connection to the Ulan Muqir troupe runs deep: his aunt was a singer in the troupe during the last century, when performers traveled on horseback or in large trucks to reach pastoral areas. Back then, he dreamed of following in her footsteps to become a member. He fulfilled that ambition as an adult.

"We play where the people are, whether it's in large theaters, at music festivals, on the grasslands, in the desert, or near herders' yurts," he says,

Ulan Muqir, which means "red bud" in Mongolian, are the troupes originated in the vast grasslands. They travel from one encampment to another, performing for herders living in remote regions.

Subei county is predominantly inhabited by the Mongolian ethnic group, a population of less than 10,000. However, Subei covers a vast area, larger than some provinces, and is home to stunning natural landscapes, such as grasslands, snow-capped mountains, deserts, and lakes. Traveling to the farthest parts of the county can take five to six hours by car.

For the Ulan Muqir of Subei, it is common to spend a week traveling long distances to perform in different villages and towns.