Achi Mugua Dance of Lisu Ethnic Minority in Weixi County, Diqing

Chinese Name: 维西县傈僳族阿尺木刮歌舞
English Name: Achi Mugua Dance of Lisu Ethnic Minority in Weixi County, Diqing
Location: Weixi Lisu Autonomous County (维西傈僳族自治县), Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省)
Heritage Level: National Intangible Cultural Heritage
Heritage Number: III-35
Approval Date: May 20, 2006

The Achi Mugua Dance (阿尺木刮), also known as the Goat Dance, is a traditional performance of the Lisu ethnic group (傈僳族) in Weixi County (维西县), Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州), Yunnan Province. Recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2006, the dance has deep roots in the culture of the Lisu people, reflecting their history as hunters and nomads. The performance is marked by its unique style of foot stamping and singing, where no musical instruments are used, except for occasional flutes.

Achi Mugua, which translates to "Goat Dance," draws inspiration from the Lisu people's relationship with goats. It is performed to mimic the movements and sounds of goats, which were crucial to the Lisu lifestyle and revered as a totem by the community.

Historical Origins

The Achi Mugua Dance originates from the Tongle Village (同乐村) in Yezhi Town (叶枝镇), located along the Lantsang River (澜沧江) in Weixi County. This dance has been passed down for generations, and its origins date back to the time when the Lisu people lived in mountainous regions as hunters and herders. The Lisu people formed a close bond with goats, which they raised for food and materials. As a result, they began imitating the goats' movements and vocalizations as a form of communication, eventually evolving into a dance that mimicked the goat's body movements and sounds.

The dance is part of a larger cultural tradition that combines song and dance. It was initially performed during rituals and ceremonial events such as weddings, harvest festivals, and important community gatherings.

Dance Features

Movement and Style

The Achi Mugua Dance involves intricate foot stamping and body movements that imitate the gestures of a goat. Performers, divided into two groups—men and women—move in a circular formation, stamping their feet in rhythm with the song. The primary movement features include:

• Jumping steps (跳摆步)

• Stomping steps (跺蹉步)

• Progressive stomps (进跺步)

• Retreating steps (退跺步)

• Goat head movements (羊抬头)

• Side-to-side body sways (上身左右摆动)

• Head tilting and gazing movements (回望)

These actions are symbolic of the Lisu people's emotional expressions, depicting themes such as joy, strength, and unity. The dance emphasizes the connection between humans and nature, specifically their relationship with animals and the environment.

Formation

Performers often arrange themselves in a large circle, straight line, or semi-circular formations. The dance is generally performed in a clockwise direction, with the lead dancer from one group transitioning to the other group in a choral exchange.

Music and Singing

The dance is accompanied by song rather than musical instruments. The songs are sung in a call-and-response format, with one leader singing and the rest of the dancers joining in for the final line of each verse. The rhythm of the song matches the dancers' foot stamping. The music is characterized by:

• Imitations of goat sounds (goat bleats)

• Vibrato (颤音) in the melodies

• Wide-ranging melodies, starting slow and gradually accelerating

The lyrics of the songs reflect the daily life, farming practices, and cultural values of the Lisu people. They include themes like family life, work, rituals, and the cycle of life.

Costumes

The costumes worn during the Achi Mugua Dance are unique and distinctive. Men traditionally wear a bun (发髻) with decorative wheat straw ornaments (麦草), while women wear hairpins and skirt pants (裙裤). The traditional costume style has largely faded, but some Lisu communities, particularly in Tongle Village, still retain these classic adornments.

Cultural Significance

The Achi Mugua Dance is more than just an artistic performance; it is an embodiment of the Lisu people's cultural heritage. It reflects their connection to nature, their beliefs, and their spiritual identity. The dance showcases the Lisu people's optimism, unity, and resilience, qualities that have been essential to their survival and prosperity in the mountainous regions of Yunnan Province.

Cultural Transmission

The Achi Mugua Dance plays an important role in preserving the oral traditions of the Lisu people. As an art form passed down through generations, it represents a significant aspect of Lisu culture that connects modern-day practitioners with their ancient ancestors. However, with the migration of younger generations to urban centers in search of employment, the practice faces the challenge of being passed on to future generations.

Cultural Preservation Efforts

The Lisu community has been actively working to preserve and promote the Achi Mugua Dance. In 2008, a cultural center was established in Tongle Village to pass down the traditions of this unique dance. Additional cultural sites have been created in other villages like Xinnuo Village (新洛村) and Badi Township (巴迪乡) to ensure that the dance remains an integral part of the community's cultural life.

In 2015, the Achi Mugua Dance was further protected by the establishment of the Achi Mugua Inheritance Center in Tongle Village. The center is dedicated to the study, performance, and promotion of the dance and serves as a hub for teaching younger generations about its significance.

Famous Performers

Notable figures in the preservation of the Achi Mugua Dance include Xiong Ziyi (熊自义) and Li Biqing (李碧清), both of whom are representative inheritors of this cultural heritage. These individuals have dedicated their lives to teaching and performing the dance, ensuring that it is passed on to future generations.

Li Biqing, one of the most accomplished performers, frequently teaches young villagers how to perform the dance, offering weekly classes at the local primary school. His efforts have ensured that over 90% of the residents in Tongle Village can perform the dance.

Social Impact and Recognition

The Achi Mugua Dance has gained widespread recognition, not only within the Lisu community but also beyond. In 1997, the dance won a gold medal at the Diqing Autonomous Prefecture's Cultural Festival (迪庆藏族自治州文化艺术节), helping bring attention to its unique charm.

Since then, it has become a staple in cultural performances across Yunnan Province and has been featured in numerous events, including the 7th Ethnic and Folk Arts Festival (第七届民族民间文艺汇演) in 2017 and the "Kuoshijie" festival in 2017.

The recognition and performances have helped raise awareness of this unique Lisu cultural heritage, not just in China but globally, further solidifying the dance's place in Yunnan's rich cultural landscape.

Keep Reading

• Yunnan Intangible Cultural Heritages
• Yunnan National ICH
• National Inheritors of ICH
• Yunnan Provincial ICH
• Provincial Inheritors of ICH
• Protection Base of Yunan ICH
• Yunnan Ethnic Culture
• Yunnan Ethnic Festivals
• Traditional Ethnic Villages in Yunnan
• Yunnan Ethnic Minorities