A swing competition of the Kirgiz ethnic group in 2001. [Photo/ China Photographers Association]

Kirgiz ethnic group

Inhabiting Xinjiang, the Kirgiz people make a living doing animal husbandry together with agriculture and livestock product processing, which has influenced their life style greatly. They like fresh colors like blue and white, and especially red, which is also the most popular color for their clothes.

Kirgiz people are adept at literature, music, sports and handicrafts. The most renowned epic 'Manas', containing more than 200,000 lines, narrates the heroic events of eight generations of Manas family - resisting invasion by other groups and protecting the peace of the Kirgizs.