Huagu Dance of Yi Ethnic Minority in Eshan County, Yuxi 

Historical Origins and Artistic Features

Origins and Functional Evolution

Originally performed during funeral ceremonies, the dance aimed to “send the soul back to the ancestors,” expressing mourning and blessings for the deceased (送灵归祖).
It has since evolved into a festive performance, commonly seen during traditional Yi events such as the Torch Festival (火把节), Migaha (咪嘎哈), and the Kai Xin Jie (开新街) celebrations.

Performance Structure

The dance consists of two parts: Ji Gu (急鼓, fast drum) and Ban Gu (板鼓, slow drum):

• Ji Gu: Fast-paced and vigorous, showcasing the bold and unrestrained style of Yi dance.

• Ban Gu: More solemn and gentle, emphasizing ritualistic expression.

Performances are accompanied by props such as the “green pheasant tail” dragon head (箐鸡尾龙头), flower drums (花鼓), mallets (槌), white handkerchiefs, large cymbals (大钹), small cymbals (小钹), and small gongs (小铓).

Dance Techniques

The choreography centers on footwork, involving techniques like stomping, stepping, kicking, pounding, squatting, circling, and bouncing—combining strength with agility.
There are 35 traditional routines, including “Worship the Four Directions” (拜四方), “Snail Spin” (螺蛳转), “Ghost Foot Dance” (鬼跳脚), and “Buckwheat Cutting Tune” (割荞调).

Representative Inheritors

The inheritance of the Yi Huagu Dance in Eshan County (峨山县) relies mainly on folk artists. Notable inheritors include:

Liu Xueguang (柳学光) — National-Level Inheritor

Born in 1968, Liu is the sixth-generation inheritor and master of over 30 routines, known especially for his Ji Gu (急鼓) style.
He created new routines such as “Liu Zhou Dui Jiao” (柳周对脚) and has trained several disciples, including Lu Yuefu (鲁跃富) and Shu Lanxian (舒兰仙).

Lu Zhengfu (鲁正富) and Shi Jianying (史建英) — Provincial-Level Inheritors

• Lu Zhengfu: Disciple of Lu Tianfu (鲁天富) and Li Guojun (李国俊), proficient in over 30 routines, and long-time lead dancer of his village's Huagu team.

• Shi Jianying: Born in 1976, began learning the dance at age 12, now leads the Wen Mountain Village (文山村) cultural team in Chahe Township (岔河乡) and has participated in many major events in the county.

Transmission and Safeguarding Measures

Inheritance System

Mainly transmitted through social groups, with some family-based lineages.
Eshan County currently has 1 provincial-level inheritor (Liu Xueguang), 6 at the municipal level, and 13 at the county level.

Teaching Hubs and Events

There are 14 Huagu Dance teaching hubs across towns like Tadian (塔甸), Chahe (岔河), and Dianzhong (甸中).
Six county-level Huagu Dance competitions have been held, incorporated into the Torch Festival (火把节), Kai Xin Jie (开新街), and other folk events.

Intangible Heritage in Schools

Clubs have been established in schools like Jinping Middle School (锦屏中学), where students learn traditional routines and develop an interest in the dance.

Cultural Value and Social Influence

Artistic Value

The dance integrates movement, music, and costume culture, embodying the Yi aesthetic of “strength, passion, agility, and grace” (刚劲激越、轻快灵活).

Social Function

Evolving from a ritual dance into a symbol of ethnic unity, it enhances cultural identity among the Yi people.

Outreach and Promotion

Artists like Liu Xueguang have performed in Guangdong (广东), Qingdao (青岛), Chuxiong (楚雄), and other regions, broadening the dance's influence.

Future Challenges and Development

Transmission Challenges

Some traditional routines are at risk of being lost, highlighting the need to cultivate younger generations.

Integration with Culture and Tourism

By integrating with local tourism, Eshan County (峨山县) is developing a Huagu Dance Cultural Festival to attract visitors and provide immersive experiences.

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