NEW YORK—Contrary to a common misconception, the Chinese are not one uniform ethnicity. There are actually 55 officially recognized ethnic groups in China, and the distinct traits of each are shaped by the local climate, natural environment, and spiritual traditions.
These traits, in turn, are embedded into each group’s unique styles of dance, which are very rich and diverse. Therefore, the ethnic dances of the vast Chinese minorities are distinct from the systematic school of classical Chinese dance and the Chinese folk dance of the ethnic Han majority.
Presenting the ethnic dances of Chinese minorities on stage is one of the hallmarks of New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts. Founded in 2006, Shen Yun’s mission is to revive 5,000 years of Chinese culture, which was believed to be divinely inspired.