Dongba Dance of Naxi Ethnic Minority in Lijiang

Dongba Dance is a traditional dance of the Naxi people, mainly passed down in Gucheng District (古城区) and Yulong Naxi Autonomous County (玉龙纳西族自治县) of Lijiang City (丽江市). With nearly 100 different routines, it is an important part of Naxi Dongba culture. Originating from the ancient sacrificial dances of the Naxi people, Dongba Dance reflects a wide range of objective things in nature and social relationships between people through direct imitation or indirect expression. It not only has religious significance but also strong folk and entertainment characteristics.

Origin and Development

The origin of Dongba Dance can be traced back to the sacrificial activities of the ancient Naxi ancestors. At that time, people imitated the movements of animals to please the “Shu Shen” (术神) and sought the protection and blessings of the deities. This early form of dance laid the foundation for Dongba Dance. The development of Dongba Dance is closely related to Dongba religion. The dances performed by Dongba priests according to the rules of religious ceremonies gradually formed a systematic Dongba Dance. The movements and steps of Dongba Dance are meticulously recorded in the Dongba Dance Score (《东巴舞谱》), which is written in Naxi pictographic script. This score is a precious resource for studying the origin of human primitive dance and the formation of early dance scores.

Dance Characteristics

Dongba Dance has a unique artistic style. Its movements are vigorous yet gentle, bright and unrestrained, and flexible in change, maintaining a simple and elegant charm. Common types of dances include deity dances, animal dances, and ritual instrument dances, each with its specific cultural connotations and forms of expression. For example, deity dances are usually performed to worship the Dongba religion’s deities, with gentle and elegant movements. Animal dances, on the other hand, vividly imitate the movements of various animals, such as the great roc, the turquoise dragon, and the white sheep. The performance forms of Dongba Dance are diverse, with as few as one or two dancers and as many as thirty to forty dancers participating together. They form a circle, holding props such as clappers and drums, and dance to the rhythm.

Cultural Value

Dongba Dance is not only an important symbol of Naxi culture but also a precious gem in the Chinese national art treasury. It carries the historical changes and social transformations of the Naxi people, containing eternal vitality and profound national temperament. The inheritance of Dongba Dance is of great academic value for the study of the Naxi religion, history, culture, and the development of human primitive dance.

Modern Inheritance

In May 2006, Naxi Dongba Dance was included in the Yunnan Province Intangible Cultural Heritage Traditional Dance Project Catalogue, receiving better protection and inheritance. Today, Dongba Dance is widely spread in Naxi areas and is showcased to the outside world through various cultural activities and tourism projects, attracting the attention of numerous domestic and international visitors. In some schools and cultural institutions, Dongba Dance has been incorporated into the curriculum, training more young inheritors.
Dongba Dance, as a unique cultural treasure of the Naxi people, showcases the artistic talent of the Naxi people and their reverence for nature and deities. It is not only an important part of Naxi culture but also a vivid manifestation of the diversity of Chinese national culture.

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