“Axi Xianji”- Oral Epic of Axi People in Mile City, Honghe

“A Xi Xian Ji” is the creation epic of the A Xi people, a subgroup of the Yi ethnic group, and has been passed down orally among the A Xi people in the Xishan area of Mile City, Yunnan Province. Below is detailed information about “A Xi Xian Ji”:

Overview

  • Name Origin: “A Xi Xian Ji” is derived from the A Xi language “sei ji,” which means “song,” and it is the general term for the poetry and melodies of this work.
  • Creative Style: “A Xi Xian Ji” is an oral literature created and sung by the A Xi people in their native language. It has a fixed, systematic, and complete content, forming a complete narrative epic.

Historical Background

  • Origins and Formation: “A Xi Xian Ji” originated in the primitive society period and was formed during the feudal society period. It has been passed down orally among the A Xi people for thousands of years.
  • Collection and Dissemination: In the 1940s, it was collected and published by poet Guang Weiran and linguist Yuan Jiahua, making it known to the outside world.

Content Structure

  • Content Composition: The poem consists of about 2,000 lines and is divided into four parts: “Prologue,” “The Most Ancient Times,” “Men and Women Become One Family,” and “Epilogue.”
  • Main Content:
    • “Prologue”: This is the opening statement, which varies depending on the singer and the performance context.
    • “The Most Ancient Times”: It describes the origin of all things in the universe, the causes of various natural phenomena, the hardships of early human life, and the struggles they endured. It also reflects the simple customs of the A Xi people and the contradictions between humans and nature.
    • “Men and Women Become One Family”: This part focuses on the love and marriage of men and women, vividly portraying the A Xi people’s pursuit of pure love and beautiful things.
    • “Epilogue”: This is the closing statement, which also varies depending on the singer and the performance context.

Cultural Value

  • Cultural Significance: “A Xi Xian Ji” is the “root” of the A Xi people, reflecting their exploration of nature, their courage, wisdom, and their simple materialism.
  • Interdisciplinary Value: It provides valuable materials and unique perspectives for studying the history, culture, economy, philosophy, religion, ethics, and aesthetic concepts of the A Xi people, making it valuable for interdisciplinary research.

Transmission Status

  • Transmission Methods: The main ways of transmitting “A Xi Xian Ji” include family transmission, teacher transmission, and natural transmission.
  • Current Status: In 2011, “A Xi Xian Ji” was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage, and He Yuzhong is the representative inheritor of the project.
How the Epic Affects the Lives of the A Xi People
As the creation epic of the Yi ethnic group’s A Xi subgroup, “A Xi Xian Ji” has had a profound impact on the lives of the A Xi people, mainly in the following aspects:

1. Cultural Heritage and Ethnic Identity

“A Xi Xian Ji” is the “root谱” of the A Xi people. Through oral transmission, it records the history, religious beliefs, and customs of the A Xi people, serving as an important carrier of cultural heritage. This epic helps the A Xi people maintain their ethnic characteristics and enhances their sense of ethnic identity and cultural pride.

2. Social Life and Ethical Values

The epic contains rich ethical values, such as norms for marriage, family, and ethics. For example, the story of “brother and sister becoming husband and wife” warns future generations against blood-related marriages, reflecting the A Xi people’s emphasis on family and social order. Additionally, the concept of harmony between humans and nature in the epic influences the A Xi people’s production and lifestyle.

3. Ecological Awareness and Environmental Protection

The simple ecological ethics in “A Xi Xian Ji,” such as reverence for and protection of nature, and taboos related to animals and plants, have deeply influenced the ecological awareness of the A Xi people. This awareness is reflected in their daily lives and, through taboos, helps protect the ecological environment.

4. Educational and Entertainment Functions

“A Xi Xian Ji” is not only a cultural treasure of the A Xi people but also an educational tool. Through singing the epic, the A Xi people can learn about history, philosophy, religion, and other knowledge, while also enjoying entertainment during festivals and family gatherings.

5. Artistic and Musical Heritage

The singing style and melodies (“Xian Ji tune”) of “A Xi Xian Ji” are an important part of the A Xi people’s musical art. They enrich the spiritual life of the A Xi people and serve as an important source of inspiration for their artistic creation.

6. Social Cohesion and National Spirit

The praise for the ancestors of the A Xi people and the longing for a better life in the epic inspire the national spirit and cohesion of the A Xi people. It is not only a bond of cultural heritage but also a spiritual pillar when facing difficulties.
In summary, “A Xi Xian Ji” is not only an important part of the A Xi people’s culture but also an important guide for their lives, having a profound impact on cultural heritage, social life, and ecological awareness.
The Value of The Ashi Xianji for Studying Yi Culture


As the creation epic of the Ashi people, a branch of the Yi ethnic group, The Ashi Xianji (《阿细先基》) encapsulates the collective memory and cultural genes of this community, offering multi-dimensional value for researching Yi culture. Below is an analysis across six key dimensions, integrating specific case studies and academic perspectives to highlight its unique significance:

1. Living Fossil of Historical Memory: Reconstructing the Social Development of the Ashi People

The epic weaves mythological narratives with historical kernels, serving as a crucial clue to decode the social changes of the Ashi. For example, the “sibling marriage” motif in the “Great Flood” chapter reflects remnants of primitive consanguineous marriage and hints at the transition from matriarchal to patriarchal clans. Archaeological findings show that Ashi ancestors once inhabited the “Azhuo Di” region (now Ganzi, Sichuan), corroborating the epic’s reference to “Azhuo Di in the northwest,” providing oral evidence for studying Yi migration history. Descriptions of “opening up farmland” and “domesticating animals” in the epic also echo archaeological discoveries at the Longtan Mountain Paleolithic Site (30,000 years old) in Chenggong, Yunnan, revealing the economic shift from hunting-gathering to agriculture.

2. Mirror of Social Structure: Decoding Traditional Ethics and Institutions

The epic vividly presents the Ashi’s unique marriage system and family values. The chapter “Men and Women Unite as a Family” details customs like “courting in communal houses” and “labor trials,” aligning with the real-life tradition of “proving worth through carrying water”—where a suitor demonstrates diligence by fetching water for the bride’s family, with parental approval contingent on his labor performance. This cultural logic of valuing hard work shapes the Ashi’s ethos of “beauty in diligence.” Additionally, depictions of “communal family living” and “clan assemblies” reflect the embryonic “Jiazhi” (家支，clan) system, offering a living sample for studying Yi social organization.

3. Religious Philosophy Canon: Insights into Cosmology and Ecological Wisdom

The epic embodies the Ashi’s profound reflections on nature and life. In the “Creation of Heaven and Earth” section, the myth of deities creating humans from golden bamboo and 万物 (all things) from soil reflects animistic beliefs. Scholar Qiu Jiahui notes that the epic explains cosmic origins through the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth), showcasing a naive materialist philosophy. Its ecological ethics—such as “humans and animals as siblings”—highlight harmony with nature, offering modern 启示 (inspiration) for environmental protection. Notably, while sharing the “flood-regeneration” motif with other Yi epics like Meige (《梅葛》) and Cham (《查姆》), the Ashi version uniquely emphasizes “humans born from melon seeds,” contrasting with the “gourd” motif in other branches, illustrating the diversity and unity of Yi culture.

4. Language and Literature Gene Bank: Analyzing the Artistic Traits of Oral Tradition

The epic’s linguistic form and literary techniques hold unique academic value. Its five-character verses and melodic “Xianji Tune” preserve the phonetic features of ancient Yi, with Yuan Jiahua’s 1953 international phonetic transcription serving as precious data for studying Yi language evolution. Literarily, it blends myth and reality—e.g., the surreal image of “Heavenly God A Tuo supporting the sky with tiger bones” alongside realistic depictions of “courtship through antiphonal singing”—creating an early form of “magical realism.” This narrative strategy not only enhances appeal but also encodes ethnic values through storytelling.

5. Living Inheritance of Artistic Forms: Cultural Expression in Music and Ritual

The musical characteristics of the “Xianji Tune” provide a model for studying Yi folk art. Musicologist Tian Xiaoshu’s analysis shows it uses pentatonic scales with decorative slides and trills, echoing the sanxian (three-string lute) rhythms of Ashi Moon Dancing (阿细跳月), embodying the “trinity of poetry, music, and dance.” Today, Mile City protects the epic through intangible cultural heritage projects, such as the “Ashi Xianji Inheritance Center” in Keyi Town, which integrates it into tourism performances, revitalizing ancient art in a modern context. This “living inheritance” offers a template for preserving minority cultural heritage.

6. Cultural Identity Bond: Sustaining the Spiritual 纽带 of the Ethnic Community

The epic plays a core role in constructing Ashi cultural memory. Researcher Qian Ying notes that narratives like “flood regeneration” and “ethnic origin” reinforce the Ashi’s shared ancestry, while motifs like “sibling marriage” become symbols of group identity. In the era of globalization, digital preservation (e.g., the Honghe Intangible Cultural Heritage Database) and “heritage + tourism” models (Keyi Town receives over 550,000 visitors annually) not only promote 传承 (transmission) but also strengthen generational ethnic belonging through cultural consumption. This interaction between tradition and modernity 印证 (confirms) the epic’s contemporary value as a cultural identity carrier.

Conclusion: A Cultural Code Across Disciplines

The Ashi Xianji serves as an “encyclopedia,” providing rich material for history, anthropology, linguistics, and religious studies. Its value lies not only in documenting the Ashi past but also in revealing how minority cultures renew themselves through oral traditions. As scholars note: “Epics are the spiritual homeland of a nation; the history of The Ashi Xianji’s transmission is a story of the Ashi people safeguarding their cultural roots amid modernization.” The survival of this heritage concerns not only Yi cultural diversity but also offers insights into the pluralistic coexistence of human civilizations.