The museum, in Huaxi County of Guizhou Province, is actually part of Li's home. He converted some of his rooms into a museum at a cost of 10,000 yuan (US$1,204) after six years of preparation.

The museum displays over 400 paintings depicting traditional Bouyei love stories and wedding rites.

For thousands of years, within the Bouyei culture, young people sang together, and in this way, got to know each other for the purpose of marrying," Li said.

The paintings depict young couples singing together on moonlit hillsides and describe pre- and post-marital conditions and procedures.

"Songs are the best way of expressing people's thoughts, hobbies and personalities. Singing together is such an elegant way to express love," said Li, who married according to these customs.

Other items displayed in the museum include ethnic wedding garments, household items, embroidery and stone and porcelain vessels.

Li said matchmakers once played a crucial role in marriage. In the post-marital period, matchmakers helped to resolve conflicts, and married couples were required to invite some individuals to serve as matchmakers even if they had not done so prior to their marriage.

Li noted that these traditions are increasingly rare as the Buoyei people continue to integrate themselves with the outside world.

Zhenshan, Li's village, was a military fortress during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and all its buildings are made of stone slates.

The entire village was turned into an ecological museum last year thanks to a project funded by the governments of Norway and China to protect ethnic villages.

China's 2.54 million Bouyei people live mainly in southwest China, including Guizhou, Yunnan and Sichuan provinces.

(People?s Daily October 26, 2002)