Axi Ethnic People

Overview of the Axi Ethnic Group

The Axi people(阿细人) are a subgroup of the Yi (彝族) ethnic group, self-referred to as “Axi” (阿细). They primarily reside in Yunnan Province (云南省), specifically in counties such as Shilin (石林), Mile (弥勒), and Qiubei (丘北). The Axi are part of the Yi ethnic group, which has several subgroups, including the Awu (阿吾), Sani (撒尼), Hei Yi (黑彝), and Bai Yi (白彝), among others.

Common Name: Axi

Ethnicity: Yi (彝族)

Population:

  • 1998: 76,200

  • 2000: 78,100

  • 2010 (estimated): 98,100

Primary Settlements:

  • Mile County (弥勒县) – 73,900 people

  • Luxi County (泸西县) – 1,300 people

  • Shilin County (石林县) – 800 people

  • Huaning County (华宁县) – 300 people

  • Yiliang County (宜良县) – 45 people

  • There are also some Axi people residing in Kunming City (昆明市).

Official Status: A subgroup of the Yi (彝族) ethnic group.

Main Beliefs: Animism, with a focus on the worship of spirits and deities.

Christian Population: Approximately 2,000 people (2.6%).

Population Distribution

More than 78,000 Axi people live in Yunnan Province. The majority reside in Mile County (弥勒县), particularly in Xiyi Township (西一乡), Xier Township (西二乡), and Xisan Township (西三乡), where around 73,900 Axi people live. Other smaller communities can be found in Shilin County (石林县), Huaning County (华宁县) in the eastern part of Yuxi (玉溪) city, and Luxi County (泸西县).

Cultural Characteristics

The Axi people of Shilin County (石林县) share close ties with the Sani (撒尼) subgroup but maintain distinct traditions, language, and clothing styles.

The Axi are particularly known for their traditional dances, which are performed in many regions of China and internationally. In 1993, an Axi dance troupe performed in Europe, touring countries such as Portugal, France, and Germany.

The Axi also created their own alphabet in 1986, though few Axi people are educated beyond elementary school, and even fewer are able to read or write the Axi script.

The Axi people observe several important taboos, one of which is their reverence for fire. They are forbidden from digging holes or crossing the fire pit, as the fire is considered sacred.

Religious Beliefs

The Axi people have a deep-rooted fire god culture and revere fire as a deity. According to legend, long ago, the ancient Axi tribe lacked fire and often fell victim to wild animal attacks. A hero named Mu Deng Sairu (木邓赛鲁) discovered how to create fire by rubbing wood together on the third day of the second lunar month. To commemorate this, the Axi celebrate the Fire Festival every year on this day.

Fire Festival

Time: Third day of the second lunar month

Activities:

  • On the day of the festival, Axi people dress in festive attire, and the young men and women sing and dance while playing the Sanxian (大三弦, a traditional Chinese string instrument).

  • Two strong men carry the carefully crafted “Fire God” statue and walk toward the “Sacred Tree” to perform a ceremonial ritual.

  • After the fire is kindled from the Sacred Tree, loud cheers and drumbeats fill the air as people celebrate.

  • The “Fire God” statue is then carried to every household in the village to bring the new year’s fire. The festival symbolizes the purification of evil and signifies hopes for a prosperous year with good weather and abundant crops.

The Axi also preserve several mysterious cultural practices, such as the Axi Dance of the Moon (阿细跳月) and their creation epic, Axi Xianji (阿细先基), both of which are listed in China’s national Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Axi Dance of the Moon is a popular and passionate dance performed in some Yi areas of Yunnan (云南), known for its intense and fiery atmosphere. It remains one of the most famous social entertainment forms among the Yi people.

Major Ethnic Festivals and Activities of the Axi People

1. Axi Fire Festival (阿细祭火节) – Core Festival

Date: 3rd day of the 2nd lunar month (March 2nd, 2025)

Location: Hongwan Village (红万村), Xiyi Township (西一镇), Mile City (弥勒市), Honghe Prefecture (红河州), Yunnan Province (云南省)

Activities:

  • Wood Rubbing Fire Ceremony: The Bimo (毕摩) performs the traditional wood rubbing ceremony in the dense forest to create new fire, with villagers wearing tattoos and body paint, and carrying the Fire God statue in a procession.

  • Celebration: People gather around a bonfire to perform the Axi Dance of the Moon (阿细跳月), exchanging old fire for new, accompanied by wrestling, bullfighting, and other competitions.

  • Long Street Feast: A traditional Songmao Feast (松毛宴) is held to welcome guests, with interactive drinking songs.

2. Axi Dance of the Moon Festival (阿细跳月节) – Modern Festival

Date: August 8th (2025 event on August 8th)

Location: Xisan Township (西三镇), Mile City (弥勒市), Ethnic Cultural and Sports Park (民族文化体育公园)

Activities:

  • Ecological Song and Dance Performance: Traditional music and dance performances, as well as a costume exhibition.

  • Bonfire Celebration: A lively night of festivities around the bonfire.

  • Freestyle Group Dance: The Axi Dance of the Moon (阿细跳月) is performed, blending sports and ethnic culture.

3. Tiger Worship Festival (祭虎节) – Totem Worship

Date: April 15th (2025)

Location: Keyi Town (可邑小镇), Mile City (弥勒市)

Activities:

  • Bimo-led Tiger Worship Ceremony: The Bimo (毕摩) performs the sacred tiger ritual, hanging wooden plaques to pray for blessings.

  • Theme Parade: The “Divine Tiger Steps on the Moon” (神虎踏月) procession, along with a feast featuring the Eight Great Dishes (八大碗) of the Yi people.

4. Miji Festival (密枝节) – Traditional Sacrifice

Date: 11th lunar month, from the Rat Day (属鼠日) to the Horse Day (马日), lasting for 7 days

Location: Xishan (西山) and Guishan (圭山), areas where Axi people reside in Mile City (弥勒市) and Lunan County (路南县)

Activities:

  • Sheep Sacrifice: Men slaughter sheep to offer sacrifices to the Miji forest, with the Bimo (毕摩) chanting prayers for blessings.

  • Moral Criticism: This ritual excludes women from participation.

Cultural Characteristics of the Festivals

Fire Worship

Both the Fire Festival (祭火节) and the Dance of the Moon Festival (跳月节) originate from the legend of fire obtained through wood rubbing, reflecting the Axi people’s primitive belief in the fire god.

Intangible Cultural Heritage

Axi Dance of the Moon (阿细跳月) has been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Fire Worship Customs (祭火习俗) are recognized as a provincial intangible cultural heritage.

Cultural and Tourism Integration

Government-led festivals (such as the Dance of the Moon Festival (阿细跳月节)) combine folk performances with tourism promotion, enhancing both cultural preservation and local tourism.

For detailed event schedules in 2025, refer to announcements from Mile City (弥勒市) or Honghe Prefecture (红河州).