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傣族象脚鼓制作技艺 Elephant-foot Drum Making Craft of Dai Ethnic Minority
Yi ethnic (Sani) embroidery, known in the Yi language as “Na Wo” (拿窝), meaning “unfinished flower,” is a traditional and highly decorative craft. Recognized as a national-level intangible cultural heritage, this unique form of embroidery has been passed down through generations within the Sani community of the Yi ethnic group in Shilin County (石林县), Kunming, Yunnan Province. The craft is an essential part of their cultural identity, characterized by intricate patterns and vibrant colors that reflect the ethnic group’s rich history, values, and beliefs.
Bi Yueying (毕跃英), a leading figure in preserving this craft, is the fifth-generation national inheritor of Sani embroidery. In 2016, she founded the Sani Embroidery Heritage Workshop in Shilin County (石林县), which became the first non-material cultural heritage embroidery workshop in the area. This milestone marked a new chapter in the preservation and promotion of the Sani embroidery tradition, modernizing it while respecting its cultural roots.
The Sani embroidery tradition has long been applied to clothing, often used in elaborate patterns for garments such as robes, skirts, and headwear, and occasionally for home décor. However, for the craft to survive in modern society and remain relevant to younger generations, it must evolve.
Qian Qianman (钱茜蔓), a long-time apprentice of Bi Yueying (毕跃英), has been studying Sani embroidery for five years. She believes that for the art to continue thriving, it must be integrated into daily life. “After joining the workshop, I designed a series of modern handmade products like storage boxes, jewelry, and other small objects for everyday use. These products combine the beauty of traditional embroidery with the practicality needed for modern life,” said Qian.
When designing products, the workshop emphasizes a balance between “keeping the craft alive” and “innovating for the future.” Traditional motifs and color schemes are preserved while incorporating new, creative designs to keep the embroidery relevant to contemporary tastes.
Qian elaborated, “In product design, we focus on both ‘keeping the craft’ and ‘innovating.’ We add innovative designs while maintaining traditional patterns and color combinations. This fusion of old and new results in products that are both functional and stylish.”
Each product is crafted by hand, using patterns that are inspired by Bi Yueying’s (毕跃英) large-scale works. These patterns, originally designed for clothing, are transformed into modern items, such as fashionable bags, pillows, and home decor, resulting in highly marketable cultural products. The workshop’s products are not only decorative but also serve as a bridge between the past and present.
Bi Yueying (毕跃英) is a true master of the Sani embroidery craft, known for her commitment to preserving its artistry while also fostering innovation. She has dedicated her life to perfecting the techniques of this traditional embroidery form. “Bi Yueying (毕跃英) is a master embroiderer, meticulous and dedicated to every detail. She checks each embroidery product with great care, ensuring that the traditional techniques are upheld,” Qian stated.
Bi’s (毕跃英) role in the workshop goes beyond simply creating beautiful pieces—she also mentors a new generation of embroiderers. Her apprentices, who learn from her, are expected to adhere to high standards in both skill and craftsmanship. Through her strict oversight and careful nurturing of her students, Bi ensures that the art of Sani embroidery is passed down with integrity.
One of the unique aspects of Sani embroidery is that each piece is hand-stitched, meaning no two are exactly alike. “Every cultural product is one of a kind,” Qian explained. “Each stitch carries the individual style and mindset of the embroiderer, which results in slight variations in the final product. This is part of what makes Sani embroidery so special.”
These subtle differences in each piece contribute to the charm and uniqueness of Sani embroidery. Each item, whether it’s a bag, pillow, or piece of jewelry, tells a story through the hands that made it and the traditions it embodies.
Since its establishment, the Sani Embroidery Heritage Workshop has seen rapid growth. The variety of cultural products offered by the workshop has expanded to over 30 different items, ranging from traditional clothing and home decor to modern accessories. The workshop’s sales have increased annually, with this year’s total surpassing 40,000 yuan. This growth reflects a wider appreciation for the craft and the increasing demand for modern, wearable art.
In addition to producing and selling products, the workshop also serves as a training center for aspiring embroiderers and a research base for university students. Over 100 professional teams from both domestic and international organizations have visited the workshop to learn about the art of Sani embroidery. The workshop has thus become an important platform for educating the public about this unique craft.
The workshop is not only a center for production but also a space for cultural exchange, where visitors from all over the world can witness the intricate process of embroidery and gain insight into the cultural significance of the craft.
The workshop’s future plans focus on further integrating modern design elements with the timeless techniques of Sani embroidery. “We will continue to create more practical and fashionable Yi (Sani) embroidery products that meet modern aesthetic and market demands,” Qian said. “We want to explore how to express the unique characteristics of Sani embroidery through a limited range of products, while ensuring they remain functional and trendy.”
By blending traditional craftsmanship with modern sensibilities, the workshop aims to expand its influence and continue to innovate while maintaining its cultural roots.
The Sani Embroidery Heritage Workshop has successfully integrated the ancient art of Sani embroidery with contemporary aesthetics, creating a fusion of tradition and modernity. The workshop’s innovative designs have infused new life into this traditional craft, allowing it to be appreciated by a broader audience. By adopting new methods of presenting the embroidery—such as fashion accessories and home decor items—the workshop has made the craft more accessible and relevant to the modern world.
Through this fusion, Sani embroidery has not only been preserved but has also been revitalized, ensuring that it continues to evolve in response to changing times and tastes. The workshop’s commitment to blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design has not only introduced a new audience to the beauty of Sani embroidery but has also contributed to the sustainability of this cultural heritage.
The success of the Sani Embroidery Heritage Workshop has had a positive impact on Shilin County’s (石林县) cultural tourism industry. The workshop has become a key attraction, drawing both domestic and international tourists interested in learning about Yi (Sani) embroidery. It has helped to promote the county’s rich cultural heritage while simultaneously contributing to the local economy through the sale of embroidered products and the hosting of cultural workshops and events.
The blending of intangible cultural heritage with modern products has made Sani embroidery a symbol of Shilin County’s (石林县) unique cultural identity. The continued success of the workshop promises to open new opportunities for the preservation of traditional arts while fostering growth in the region’s cultural tourism sector.
Through this innovative approach, the workshop has shown how ancient crafts can be revitalized in the modern world, ensuring that they continue to thrive for generations to come.
Chinese Name:楚雄州元谋县彝族摔跤
English Name: Yi-style Wrestling in Yuanmou County, Chuxiong
Yi-style Wrestling was listed as Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritages in Yunnan.
Yi Wrestling, designated as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage, is a traditional sports activity popular in Yuanmou County. It was officially recognized in September 2009 by the Yunnan Provincial People’s Government and listed in the second batch of provincial protection directories.
Introduction Yi Wrestling, known as “Ge” in the Yi language, represents the embodiment of strength and technique. It has been developed by the Yi people over an extended period of production and life. This traditional sports event is widely practiced, highly confrontational, and greatly favored by young men during festive competitions. It serves as a traditional activity for ideological exchange and emotional communication among young people from different villages. Yi Wrestling is a significant component of Yi ethnic traditional sports culture, primarily transmitted in the area of the Black Yi (Nuosu) people in the southern part of the Jinsha River in Yuanmou County.
Historical Origin The history of Yi Wrestling dates back a long time and originated as a means of resisting invasions and defending homelands. Wrestling became a form of martial arts and fitness exercise for the Yi people, characterized by unique forms. According to Yi folklore, the origin of the Torch Festival comes from a strongman in the sky who was defeated in a wrestling match on Earth. The enraged heavenly gods then sent locusts to devour crops, and people used fire to drive away the locusts. This narrative illustrates the ancient history of Yi-style wrestling. Historical records indicate that wrestling, known as “Jue Di” in ancient times, was documented in the Han Dynasty’s “Han Shu” (History of the Former Han Dynasty). The origin of this activity can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty, specifically the Tianbao era. The legends of Yi Wrestling feature heroes and legendary figures such as Alu Jure, Re Dinghaoxing, who were renowned wrestling masters. A Yi proverb states, “Guests are not entertained without wine, and joy is inseparable from wrestling,” emphasizing the importance of wrestling in Yi culture.
Basic Elements Yi Wrestling has no levels or specific costumes, and it exhibits great flexibility. Beyond being a physical contest, wrestling often serves as a means to resolve disputes between villages or settle territorial disputes. When conflicts arise, rather than resolving issues through rational discussions, both parties send wrestling representatives to compete. Wrestling matches are held at the borders between villages, and the outcome determines right from wrong. The winner is deemed correct, while the loser is considered incorrect. Wrestling becomes a way to settle disputes, and without formidable wrestling champions, reasoned arguments become irrelevant.
Key Characteristics Yi Wrestling is passed down through generations via oral and practical teachings, making it the most widespread and traditionally inherited mass sports activity among the Yi people (Nuosu). This traditional sports event embodies the Yi people’s spirit of love for their homeland, bravery in battle, and a cheerful and bold warrior ethos. It showcases the strength and wisdom of the Yi people through physical and intellectual competition.
Significance Yi Wrestling has been designated as a traditional sports event in the Chinese National Ethnic Games. Represented by the Nuosu people from Yuanmou’s Xiaoliangshan region, athletes have repeatedly won gold medals at national, provincial, and regional traditional ethnic sports competitions. This success has laid a solid foundation for promoting and preserving traditional ethnic competitive sports.
楚雄州武定县发窝乡彝族民歌(酒歌) Folk Song (Toasting Song) of Yi Ethnic Minority in Wuding County, Chuxiong
楚雄姚安县姚安坝子腔 Yao’an Baizi Qiang in Yao’an County, Chuxiong
Taige (Tonghai Gaotai): A Traditional Folk Custom in Tonghai County, Yunnan Province
Taige (抬阁), also known as Tonghai Gaotai (通海高台), is a traditional folk custom of Tonghai County in Yunnan Province, and one of China’s national intangible cultural heritage items.
Tonghai Gaotai is a preserved form of taige performance, practiced during traditional festivals in Tonghai County. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, military settlers from Guangdong and Fujian brought the performance arts of “Taige (抬阁)” and “Piaose (飘色)” to Yunnan.
According to the Gaotai Society Stele (《高台会碑》) erected on April 27, 1842 (the 22nd year of the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty), the custom of welcoming Gaotai originated during the Qianlong era in the counties of Tonghai (通海) and Hexi (河西, now under the jurisdiction of Tonghai County). It began in Qijie (七街, now a town under Tonghai County) and later spread to Hexi Town (河西城), Tonghai Town (通海城), and surrounding villages.
During the Jiaqing and Daoguang reigns of the Qing Dynasty, towns such as Qijie (七街), Tonghai County Seat (通海县城), Hexi (河西县城), Sijie (四街), and Yangguang (杨广, now a town under Tonghai County) established their own Gaotai Societies (高台会), which have passed down the tradition to the present day.
The Gaotai parade is usually held annually on the 16th day of the first lunar month and is called “Welcoming the Gaotai (迎高台).” In regular years, twelve Gaotai platforms are displayed, while in leap years, there are thirteen.
One of the key challenges in crafting a Gaotai is to ensure that the structural support, known as the “muscles and bones (筋骨)”—referring to the iron rods holding up the stage—remain hidden. Achieving a natural and seamless appearance is the hallmark of skilled Gaotai artisans.
A Gaotai is essentially a mobile stage, with each platform representing a theatrical scene. Carefully selected and trained children aged four to five are dressed up to play various roles, usually drawn from traditional Chinese opera stories. The Gaotai parade is accompanied by traditional music and features other folk performances such as donkey lanterns (毛驴灯) and dragon dances (龙灯).
On May 20, 2011, Taige (Tonghai Gaotai) was officially listed in the third batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, under project number X-87.
There are various interpretations regarding the origin and development of Tonghai Gaotai.
According to the Tonghai County Gazetteer, it is recorded:
“In the Hexi area, when a child was born, a wooden frame would be set up in front of the house to display the child. Later, several families gathered in temples to give thanks to the gods. When times were peaceful, lantern towers were erected at city gates for celebration, and the local community participated enthusiastically.”
This account describes the early Qing Dynasty practice in Tonghai County, where to encourage childbirth and production, families who gave birth to boys would place the child on a square table in front of their house on his first birthday. They would set up an incense altar and invite neighbors to celebrate. The boy would then be carried in a parade around the town. At the time, the county magistrate would personally offer congratulations and present a “Hundred-Family Lock” as a gesture of official goodwill.
As more families had boys, several would place their children on a single table for a group parade. Eventually, people began using curved tree branches fixed to wooden frames, with boys tied and seated on the structure, carried by four men. This became known as the “Earthen Gaotai” (土高台). It is said that this was the origin of the Tonghai Gaotai tradition.
According to the Supplement to the Hexi County Gazetteer,
“Gaotai in Hexi began in the early Ming Dynasty and flourished in the early and late Qing Dynasty.”
Tonghai Gaotai likely originated from the Jiangnan region during the Ming Dynasty. By the late Qing, nearly every village had its own Gaotai drama troupe. During festivals, these troupes would tour neighboring villages for performances, leading to a golden age for Gaotai opera.
The Gaotai Society Stele from the 24th year of Daoguang’s reign (1844) states:
“To dispel loneliness, a ‘Gaotai Society’ was established to enhance the spectacle.”
This suggests that during the Qing Dynasty, Tonghai Gaotai was a highly popular folk tradition eagerly awaited by the local people.
During the Qianlong reign, brothers Xiang Zongkun and Xiang Zongbin from Qijie in Tonghai passed the imperial examination and became magistrates in Yangchun County, Guangdong and Jianyang County, Fujian respectively. In these regions, spring festivals featured performances similar to the “Earthen Gaotai,” with decorative, story-based displays.
Upon returning to their hometown after their service, the brothers brought these artistic elements with them and improved upon the original Earthen Gaotai—especially in character design, costumes, and props. This led to a fusion of opera, novels, mythology, folktales, sculpture, painting, bamboo framing, iron and wood craftsmanship, and decorative arts. Eventually, the Tonghai Gaotai evolved into what could be called a “miniature theatrical landscape” or a “three-dimensional storytelling bonsai.”
During the Jiaqing and Daoguang periods, due to the public’s love for Gaotai, Gaotai Societies were established in Qijie, Tonghai County seat, Hexi, Sijie, and Yangguang. They collectively purchased farmland, and the annual rent collected in grain was used for organizing Gaotai events.
By the Republican era, Tonghai Gaotai had become a distinct folk art in the county. There were four Gaotai Societies in Tonghai: in the county seat, Hexi, Qijie, and Yangguang. Each year during the first lunar month, these societies would organize twelve Gaotai parades. In leap years, an additional thirteenth platform was included, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Tonghai Gaotai Opera is a form of Huadeng (lantern) opera Gaotai that evolved by incorporating various theatrical elements based on Huadeng and folk mountain songs.
Most sources agree that Tonghai Gaotai Opera was influenced by coastal regions. According to the Tonghai County Gazetteer, it is a highly visual, representative, and technically demanding form of mobile stage art, essentially a condensed theatrical or storytelling performance.
While the art form was nurtured in the culturally rich region of Tonghai in Yunnan, it also borrowed significantly from the Gaotai traditions of coastal Guangdong. Each of the origin stories mentioned above may hold some truth and together represent different contributing factors in the evolution of Tonghai Gaotai Opera.
Historians estimate that Tonghai Gaotai has gone through cycles of prosperity, decline, and revival over the past 400 years within the long stream of traditional Chinese culture.
The development of Tonghai Gaotai Opera can be divided into several stages, with its final form taking shape in the late Qing Dynasty. According to the Ethnography of Tongren Region, Guizhou, the development of Gaotai Opera included three main stages:
The developmental trajectory of Tonghai Gaotai Opera closely followed this three-stage pattern.
Tonghai Gaotai (通海高台), represented by the Qijie Gaotai (七街高台), primarily features the local Huadeng Opera (花灯戏) as its foundation. However, during its development, it has extensively incorporated elements from local Nuo Opera (傩戏), Chenhe Opera (辰河戏) from Xiangju (湘剧), and Sichuan Opera (川戏), including vocal styles and performance techniques.
Therefore, Gaotai Opera (高台戏) can be considered a newly emerged form of folk theatrical performance that fuses and innovates both local and external opera traditions. It is the product of the integration between local cultural arts and outside influences, and its artistic expression is notably comprehensive.
During the Gaotai parade, children aged 6 to 8, who have been carefully selected and trained, are secured onto the platforms. With their coordinated gestures and expressions, each Gaotai becomes a mobile mini-stage. As the procession moves slowly, the young performers enact their roles with expressive movements—snapping cigarette boxes, swinging long sleeves, mimicking rowing, cracking horsewhips, and dancing with fans—interacting vividly with the colorful scenes on the platforms, creating a charming and lively visual display.
The stories chosen for Gaotai performances are mostly related to deities, emperors and generals, talented scholars and beautiful ladies, and heroic figures. The themes cover both ancient legends and modern life, and also reflect ethnic customs. Representative story titles include:
One of the major differences between Tonghai Gaotai Opera (通海高台戏) and other folk platform performance arts (拾阁民俗表演艺术) across China is that each play is composed of spoken dialogue (recitative) and sung verses, which alternate throughout the performance.
The sung portions typically include several to over a dozen musical segments, each being an independent musical unit. These musical segments often follow structures such as paired lines, four-phrase or multi-phrase single segments. Each musical phrase is accompanied by equally long instrumental accompaniments at both the beginning and end, forming a symmetrical and well-structured unit, usually consisting of four measures. This symmetry is a hallmark of Gaotai music structure.
The paired-line format is commonly used, with each musical segment performed by different characters in the play. These segments often engage in melodic and lyrical call-and-response, enhancing the theatrical dynamism.
Musically, the opera shows innovation and evolution in its modal and melodic structure. The primary mode is the pentatonic Zhi mode (徵调式), followed by Yu mode (羽调式), Gong mode (宫调式), and Shang mode (商调式). The Zhi mode maintains a complete pentatonic scale, while the other modes often appear in incomplete forms; notably, the Shang mode sometimes features a six-tone scale.
Thus, Tonghai Gaotai is considered one of the more professional and sophisticated forms among China’s various folk platform performance traditions.
The Tonghai Gaotai (通海高台) plays a significant role in preserving the fine traditions of the Chinese nation and enhancing community cohesion. It also holds research value in the fields of folklore, arts, and history.
Many people, especially the younger generation, remain unfamiliar with this art form, raising concerns about the future of Gaotai (高台) inheritance. Due to the substantial manpower and material resources required for the Gaotai parade, performances in Tonghai County Town (通海县城) and Yangguang Gaotai (杨广高台) have been suspended. Only the Hexi (河西) and Qijie (七街) Gaotai groups have weathered the storms, persistently carrying on the tradition while continuously introducing new elements.
Gongsun Xin (公孙馨), male, born in October 1949, is of Han ethnicity and a native of Tonghai County, Yunnan Province (云南省通海县). He is a fourth-generation national-level representative inheritor of an intangible cultural heritage project. The project is titled “Taige (Tonghai Gaotai)” (抬阁〔通海高台〕), and the applying region is Tonghai County, Yunnan Province.
In November 2019, the List of National Representative Project Protection Units for Intangible Cultural Heritage was released, and the Tonghai County Cultural Center (通海县文化馆) was granted protection unit status for the “Taige (Tonghai Gaotai)” project.
On October 31, 2023, the updated List of National Representative Project Protection Units for Intangible Cultural Heritage was announced. Due to significant changes in the nature and structure of the original protection unit, it was deemed no longer eligible. The Tonghai County Cultural Center (Tonghai County Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center) (通海县文化馆〔通海县非物质文化遗产保护中心〕) was re-designated as the new protection unit.
On February 8, 2016, a Spring Festival parade was held in Tonghai County Town, Yunnan Province (云南省通海县城), during which the Tonghai Gaotai was performed.
From January 1 to February 29, 2020, the Tonghai New Year cultural and sports series included: a Spring Festival sports competition, opera performances in rural areas, the 18th Tonghai Spring Flower Street Fair, folk art exhibitions, Xiushan Park activities, and “Three Services to the Countryside” campaigns (culture, science, and healthcare). The Tonghai Gaotai was one of the featured performances during the celebrations.
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