He Yinggui - Representative Inheritor of Yi Torch Festival Project in Zixi Town, Chuxiong

He Yinggui (何应贵), born in 1970 in Zhuangfang Village (砖房村), Chahe Village Committee (岔河村委会), Zixi Town (紫溪镇), Chuxiong City (楚雄市), Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture (楚雄彝族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省), is a key figure dedicated to preserving and promoting the culture of the Yi Torch Festival (火把节).

In March 2025, he was officially recognized as a sixth-generation National Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Inheritor of China.

The Path of Transmission and His Cultural Role

An Ancestral Priesthood

He Yinggui comes from a family of “Xiangtong (香通)”, hereditary priests of Yi traditional religion, and is the 11th-generation successor of this priestly lineage.

Since the age of seven, he studied ritual practices under his father, gradually mastering the complete ceremonial system of the Yi Torch Festival and other sacred traditions through both daily immersion and hands-on experience.

Master of Rituals and Performance

As the principal organizer and ritual leader, he has presided over hundreds of ceremonies and organized the Xiangtong performance troupe for dozens of major festivals.

He is especially skilled in the Sheepskin Drum Dance (羊皮鼓舞) and has preserved precious family records, including ancient performance manuscripts and divination texts, making him a living repository of Yi ritual knowledge.

The Cultural Meaning of the Torch Festival (火把节)

The Yi People’s Most Important Festival

The Torch Festival is one of the most significant traditional celebrations of the Yi people, showcasing their religious rituals, dance, costumes, and food culture.

In Chuxiong (楚雄), the Torch Festival lasts three days, with the first day’s Fire Worship Ritual being the most solemn.

Sacred Rituals

As a Xiangtong (香通) or Bimo (毕摩, Yi priest), He Yinggui presides over the core ceremonies:

• Wearing a ritual hat and traditional Yi attire

• Holding sacred ritual instruments

• Leading chants and prayers

• Striking stones to create new fire

• Lighting the giant torch with the “Holy Fire” that symbolizes happiness and hope

Through these rituals, blessings are offered for good harvests, peace in the home, and harmony in the village.

Transmission Work and Modern Influence

Training the Next Generation

He Yinggui has already trained more than ten disciples, including Luo Jinhua (罗金华) and He Qiaoshou (何乔寿), who have gained recognition in the local community.

He also organizes dynamic Sheepskin Drum Dance troupes, cultivating new forces for the living transmission of Torch Festival culture.

Tradition Meets Modernity

Thanks to younger generations and modern media platforms such as short videos, the Torch Festival has found new vitality in contemporary society. Its spectacular scenes are now shared widely online, drawing increasing numbers of domestic and international travelers eager to witness the celebrations in person.

Conclusion

In short, He Yinggui is not only a skilled Yi priest but also a cultural bridge between past and future. His dedication ensures that the Yi Torch Festival (彝族火把节) continues to thrive, shining brightly as a living cultural treasure of Yunnan and China.

✨ For visitors, joining the Torch Festival in Chuxiong (楚雄火把节) is more than watching a performance—it is an immersive journey into the heart of Yi culture, where sacred fire, dance, and community spirit come together in a breathtaking celebration.