It provides the characters and visual poetry on which to project our deepest feelings about the persistence of love, the power of friendship and the joy of embracing life toward the end of life.

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For those who suffered mostly misery in this life, who died as infants or young children, who never really had an opportunity to know true joy or love, the afterlife offered a second chance and a way to address the unfairness of this life.

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Songs may tell of young love, the hard work and weariness of the farming life, the foibles of men and women or the joy of singing.

UNESCO: Culture