? Basic Information
| Item |
Information |
| Name |
Li Pa (李爬) |
| Ethnicity |
Hani (Aini people, 哈尼族·爱伲人) |
| Year of Birth |
1959 |
| Location |
Mangjiu New Village (芒旧新寨), Haidong Village Committee (海东村委会), Mangxin Town (芒信镇), Menglian Dai, Lahu, and Wa Autonomous County (孟连傣族拉祜族佤族自治县), Pu’er City (普洱市), Yunnan Province (云南省) |
| Identity |
Ritual Specialist / Priest (“Bama” 巴麻) |
| Heritage Status |
Provincial-level Representative Inheritor of Intangible Cultural Heritage (3rd batch) |
| Lineage |
Apprentice of local ritual master Li Ge (李格) since 1985 |
? Cultural Role and Ritual Practices
As a ritual specialist (“Bama” 巴麻), Li Pa plays a central role in preserving and guiding Aini (爱伲) cultural traditions:
Ritual Services
-
Calling back souls for the ill
-
Cleansing villages of misfortune
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Presiding over funerals and weddings
-
Naming ceremonies for children
Festival Leadership
He also leads traditional Aini festivals, including:
-
Qieka Apo (切卡阿波) – Seed Sowing Festival
-
Kayeh (卡耶) – Gate Opening Festival
-
Swing Festival (秋千节)
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New Rice Festival (新米节)
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Year-Turning Festival (翻年节)
? Special Skills and Cultural Value
Li Pa is not only a ritual leader but also a multi-talented cultural bearer:
-
Genealogical Memory: He can recite the genealogy of 66 generations of his lineage, providing valuable references for the study of Hani (哈尼族) migration and clan history.
-
Music and Art: He sings Aini folk songs, plays the small three-stringed lute (小三弦), and the bamboo flute called Qili (期哩).
-
Herbal Medicine: He is also knowledgeable in traditional herbal remedies, further enriching his role in the community.
? Cultural Transmission
The continuation of heritage depends on transmission. Today, Li Pa already has three apprentices under training. They are at a critical stage in learning, ensuring the survival and continuation of Aini cultural traditions for future generations.
