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KUNMING, March 23-- Every year, He Rujun celebrates at least nine traditional ethnic festivals with neighbors from seven different minorities. As one of the Naxi minority, He wore a traditional costume of goatskin ornamented with seven round embroidered discs representing seven stars last Thursday to celebrate Sanduo Festival, one of the grandest annual religious events for the Naxi. "Almost everyone in my neighborhood joins the celebration, no matter which ethnic group they belong to," He said. "We taught them our songs and dances so that we could sing together in harmony of traditional Naxi mythical tales, swaying to the rhythm of drums and other handmade instruments." He lives in the community of Beimen in the city of Lijiang, southwest China's Yunnan Province, where more than 86 percent of its residents are ethnic minorities. Yunnan is home to 25 ethnic groups, including Dai, Bai, Hani, Yi and Miao. Different ethnic groups have their own language, costume and customs. "In a community with multiple nationalities, having people with various habits and cultural backgrounds live harmoniously while preserving their ethnic characteristics is our top priority," said Liu Linjun, Party branch secretary of Beimen community. "We are seeking common ground while reserving differences." To promote ethnic cultures, Beimen organizes folk artists and culture inheritors to show their skills and give performances in popular tourist spots in Lijiang. | 
