Li Mige - Inheritor of Hani Folk Song and Dance in Jiangcheng County, Puer  

Limige (李米戈), born in 1955 in Shimenkan Hamlet (石门坎社), Nuna Village (怒那村), Qushui Township (曲水乡), Jiangcheng County (江城县), Pu’er City (普洱市), Yunnan Province, is a renowned inheritor of Hani song and dance culture. She is recognized as a provincial-level representative inheritor of intangible cultural heritage (second batch).

From the age of 13, she devoted herself to learning Hani folk songs and traditional dances, eventually mastering more than 20 Hani tunes, 16 types of Hani dances, and exquisite techniques in traditional costume-making. Her representative works, such as Amiche (阿迷车), Ganini (嘎尼尼), and Lullaby (摇篮曲), are not only rich in artistic value but also serve as “living fossils” of Hani cultural history.

Early Life and Artistic Origins

• Cultural Roots: Growing up in a Hani community, Limige was deeply immersed in her people’s music and dance traditions.

• Learning Process: At age 13, she began studying folk songs taught by her mother and dances learned from her sisters and elders.

• Environment: Qushui Township (曲水乡) is known as the “Hometown of Hani Song and Dance”, nurturing her natural talent.

• Gifted Memory: Although her formal education was limited, her memory and creativity allowed her to master and preserve complex artistic traditions.

Her journey reflects the Hani saying: “When you can walk, you can dance; when you can talk, you can sing.”

Artistic Achievements and Style

Artistic Strengths

1. Comprehensive Mastery

   • Over 20 Hani folk tunes, including Amiche (阿迷车), Lullaby (摇篮曲), Moon Song (唱月亮), and Ganini (干尼尼).

   • 16 Hani dances, such as Qieniudu (切妞都玉) and Bamubala (巴木巴啦).

   • Skilled in making traditional Hani costumes, collected by county, prefectural, and provincial cultural bureaus.

2. Unique Style

   • Singing: Bright, powerful, and emotionally expressive.

   • Dancing: Graceful yet grounded, expressing both daily life and spiritual beliefs.

   • Costume-making: Intricate embroidery and weaving that embody Hani craftsmanship.

3. Commitment to Cultural Transmission

   • Known as a “living dictionary of Hani culture”.

   • Integrates Hani history, customs, and rituals into her performances.

Representative Works and Cultural Significance

These works embody not only artistic expression but also the collective memory of the Hani people.

Social Recognition and Legacy

• Official Recognition: Named a provincial-level representative inheritor of intangible cultural heritage by Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture.

• Archival Preservation: Her performances recorded by the China News Production Center.

• Costume Collection: Her handcrafted garments are preserved in county, prefecture, and provincial cultural archives.

• Local Influence: Widely respected in Qushui Township (曲水乡) as a cultural guardian.

Transmission and Teaching

• Students: Limige has trained apprentices, including Ma Yuxian (马玉仙) and Ma Silan (马思兰).

• Teaching Methods: Oral transmission, live demonstration, and hands-on participation.

• Scope: From local communities to cultural festivals, expanding the reach of Hani traditions.

• Principle: She embodies the principle of “protection first, rescue priority, rational use, and sustainable transmission.”

Contributions to Hani Culture

Cultural Protection

• Systematically collected and preserved Hani folk songs, dances, and costume-making traditions.

• Actively involved in local intangible cultural heritage programs.

Cultural Transmission

• Cultivated new generations of Hani cultural inheritors.

• Engaged in “intangible heritage into schools” initiatives.

• Showcased traditions in festivals like Hani New Year (哈尼历年).

Cultural Exchange

• Participated in cross-cultural exchange events.

• Enabled wider dissemination of Hani culture through recordings and performances.

• Supported cultural tourism and heritage branding in Jiangcheng County (江城县).

The Cultural Background of Hani Song and Dance

Historical Origins

• Descended from the ancient Di-Qiang tribes (氐羌族群).

• Migrated southwards from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau around the 3rd century BC.

• Known as the “people who dance when they walk, and sing when they talk.”

Artistic Characteristics

Qushui Township – Hometown of Hani Song and Dance

• Cultural Recognition: Designated in 2005 as the “Hometown of Hani Song and Dance (嘎尼尼、阿迷车之乡)”.

• Festivals: Hosts annual Hani New Year (哈尼历年) celebrations with guests from Vietnam and Laos.

• Transmission Mechanisms: Local programs encourage masters to pass skills to apprentices.

• Cultural Tourism: Promotes ethnic tourism brands tied to Hani heritage.

• Innovation: 2025 saw the launch of the Qushui Waterborne Tea-Horse Road Cultural Festival (曲水镇水上茶马古道文化节).

Conclusion

Limige (李米戈) stands as a true guardian of Hani cultural heritage. Through more than five decades of singing, dancing, teaching, and costume-making, she has ensured that Hani traditions are preserved, celebrated, and passed on. Her life’s work reflects both a profound love for her heritage and a strong sense of responsibility to future generations.