Xiaoliangshan Traditional Culture Conservation Area of Yi Ethnic Minority in Yuanmou County, Chuxiong

Chinese Name: 元谋县凉山乡彝族传统文化保护区
English Name: Liangshan Yi Traditional Cultural Ecological Reserveof Yi Ethnic Minority in Yuanmou County, Chuxiong

Liangshan Yi Traditional Cultural Ecological Reserve (元谋县凉山乡彝族传统文化保护区) is located in Liangshan Township (凉山乡), within Yuanmou County (元谋县), Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture (楚雄彝族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省), China. The Yi people of Xiaoliangshan (小凉山), part of the larger Yi ethnic group, call themselves "Nisu" or "Niesu", while others refer to them as "Liangshan people", "Barbarians", "Black Yi", or "Mansan people". In written materials, they are generally referred to as "Nosu" (彝族).

There are an estimated 5,000 Nosu people living in Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture. The Nosu are primarily found in Liangshan Township and Yangjie Town (杨街镇) of Yuanmou County, as well as Yongxing Township (永兴乡) in Yongren County. Liangshan Township, particularly, has one of the highest concentrations of Nosu people, with major villages including Maidiping, Taiyangpo, Damai Chong, Luoshuidong, Guhu Liangzi, Yiqiutian, and many others.

Cultural and Historical Origins

The origins of the Liangshan Yi people trace back to areas near Kunming (昆明) and Zhaotong (昭通). However, due to frequent wars, they eventually migrated to Liangshan Prefecture in Sichuan. Following further oppression by local chieftains, they moved from Sichuan to the Leiying Mountains (雷鹰山) in Yuanmou County.

According to the Yuanmou Historical Anthology (元谋历史文献, 1993 edition), Yi people from the Daliang Mountains (大凉山) in Sichuan migrated to the Leiying Mountains during the Qianlong period (1736-1795) of the Qing Dynasty (清朝). This suggests that the Liangshan Yi people have inhabited the Leiying Mountains in Yuanmou for over 260 years.

Traditional Culture and Societal Structure

The Nosu Yi people have traditionally lived in cold, mountainous areas with limited interaction with the outside world. This geographical isolation has preserved many aspects of their traditional culture, including material production, life ceremonies, and religious rituals. Marriages are usually confined within their ethnic group, and their society has been based on a self-sufficient natural economy for centuries.

Their traditional culture encompasses:

• Material Production Culture: Traditional agricultural techniques and craftsmanship.

• Material Life Culture: Food, clothing, and everyday life practices.

• Life Ceremony Culture: Rites of passage, including birth, marriage, and death ceremonies.

• Religious Rituals: Worship of deities and spirits, often performed during agricultural ceremonies.

• Family Clans and Social Hierarchy: An established clan-based society with hierarchical structures.

• Festival Culture: Celebrations and community events such as the Yi Torch Festival (彝族火把节).

• Folk Entertainment: Traditional songs, dances, and sports.

• Folk Literature: Oral traditions, including epic stories and songs passed down through generations.

• Customary Laws and Etiquette: Rules governing social interactions and cultural norms.

The Liangshan Yi Traditional Cultural Ecological Reserve plays an essential role in the protection, rescue, and development of these cultural practices, ensuring the continued vitality of the Yi ethnic group’s heritage.

Liangshan Yi Traditional Cultural Ecological Reserve

The Liangshan Yi Traditional Cultural Ecological Reserve serves as a key institution for preserving the cultural traditions of the Nosu Yi people. It is located in Liangshan Township, within Yuanmou County. The reserve focuses on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage through both physical and cultural protection efforts.

Significance of the Reserve

The cultural reserve is crucial for:

• Protecting Yi culture, including traditional farming practices, religious rituals, and artistic performances.

• Providing a space for the transmission of cultural knowledge through workshops and educational programs.

• Promoting Yi arts, including Yi epic storytelling and traditional music and dance.

• Creating a sustainable future for the Yi people by integrating cultural preservation into community life.

The reserve is also integral in supporting the Yi Torch Festival, a significant celebration that marks the beginning of the summer harvest. It brings together various traditional practices, including dance, music, and rituals to honor the spirits of the ancestors and the land.

Ethnic Culture and Cultural Transmission

The establishment of the Yi Traditional Cultural Ecological Reserve ensures that Yi culture is not only preserved but also actively transmitted to future generations. It also serves as an educational center for visitors interested in Yi heritage, providing a glimpse into the life and traditions of one of China’s most distinct ethnic groups.

Intangible Cultural Heritage of Yuanmou County

Yuanmou County is home to an impressive array of intangible cultural heritage projects, some of which are nationally recognized. Here is an overview of the most notable heritage projects and the individuals responsible for their preservation:

National-Level Representative Projects

• Yuanmou Huadeng Opera (元谋花灯戏)

Provincial-Level Representative Projects

• Yi Epic "Alu Jure" (彝族史诗《阿鲁久热》)

• Yi Wrestling (彝族摔跤)

• Liangshan Yi Traditional Cultural Ecological Reserve (凉山彝族传统文化生态保护区)

• Lisu Folk Songs (傈僳族民歌)

• Yuanmou Pao Guo (Fruit Steeping) Techniques (元谋泡果技艺)

• Yi Felt-Making Techniques (彝族毡艺)

Prefectural-Level Representative Projects

• Yi Broadsword Dance (彝族大刀舞)

• Yi Spiced Pork Belly Techniques (彝族腊肉制作技艺)

• Yuanmou Roasted Piglet Techniques (元谋烤全猪技艺)

• Yi Torch Festival (彝族火把节)

Inheritors of Intangible Cultural Heritage

National-Level Inheritor

• Chen Shenhui (陈深会) – Yuanmou Huadeng Opera

Provincial-Level Inheritors

• He Xueyou (何学友) – Yi Epic "Alu Jure"

• Pu Jinliang (蒲金良) – Yi Wrestling

• Wang Liangcheng (王良成) – Yuanmou Bamboo Weaving

Prefectural-Level Inheritors

• Zhang Chunliang (张春良) – Yi Broadsword Dance

• Yang Wenxiang (杨文香) – Liangshan Yi Traditional Cultural Reserve

Cultural Transmission Centers and Workshops

Yuanmou County has established 28 intangible cultural heritage transmission centers and 2 prefectural-level intangible cultural heritage workshops, which play a key role in preserving and transmitting the traditions of the Yi people and other local ethnic groups. These centers offer training, conduct public exhibitions, and help ensure that traditional arts and crafts remain vibrant in the modern era.

The Liangshan Yi Traditional Cultural Ecological Reserve in Yuanmou County serves as a vital space for the preservation and transmission of the Nosu Yi culture. Through its efforts in safeguarding cultural heritage, the reserve plays a crucial role in ensuring that future generations of Yi people can continue to celebrate and preserve their traditions. Furthermore, it provides an excellent example of how intangible cultural heritage can be integrated into community life while promoting ethnic diversity in China.