Sani Ethnic People

The Sani people(撒尼人), a branch of the Yi ethnic group, have lived for generations in the Stone Forest (石林) of Yunnan. Their rich culture and vibrant customs harmonize with the extraordinary natural beauty of the Stone Forest, making it even more captivating. As a part of the larger Yi ethnic family, the Sani have a deep-rooted history that dates back to the 2nd century AD, when the Yunnan region around Dianchi Lake (滇池) was a central area for the Yi people. By the 3rd century, their presence spread to northeast Yunnan, southern Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi, gradually merging with other ethnic groups. The Sani people predominantly reside in the Stone Forest Yi Autonomous County (石林彝族自治县) and Luxi County (泸西县) in Yunnan. The Sani people are known for their strong reverence for tigers, and in their language, “罗” means tiger and “倮” means dragon. This reflects their self-identity as a fierce and invincible ethnic group, akin to dragons and tigers.

Basic Information

  • Ethnic Group: Yi (Yi ethnic group branch)

  • Location: Stone Forest Yi Autonomous County (石林彝族自治县), Luxi County (泸西县), Yunnan Province

  • Population: Approximately 100,000

  • Language: Sani language

  • Traditional Festivals: Torch Festival (火把节), Mi Zhi Festival (密枝节)

Cultural Highlights

Traditional Performances

The Sani people are known for their vibrant traditional performances, such as the Jiao Le (跳乐), where lively music and graceful dance steps are showcased. These performances are a testament to the unique cultural identity of the Sani, combining song, dance, and lively movements.

Unique Customs and Traditions

The Sani people possess distinct customs, especially in language, marriage, and funerary rites. Their customs include spectacular lion dances, colorful costumes with intricate embroidery, bold and energetic folk dances, and wrestling competitions. The Sani also have a strong tradition of bull and sheep fighting, showcasing their deep-rooted cultural heritage.

Famous Legends

The Sani people are also known for their legends and folklore, with one of the most beloved tales being that of A Shi Ma (阿诗玛), which is referred to as the “Sani Venus.” This touching story is cherished by the Sani people and continues to captivate visitors.

Customs and Traditions

Marriage and Love

The Sani people uphold traditional virtues such as love, freedom in marriage, family harmony, and respect for elders and children. In their society, young men and women typically meet and fall in love through cultural and festive activities, such as dancing and singing.

A significant social activity among the youth is the Da Sanxian Dance (大三弦舞), a type of traditional dance. On moonlit nights, young men carry instruments like the Sanxian (大三弦), Yueqin (月琴), Flute (笛子), and Sanhu (三胡), gathering with young women to dance the Da Sanxian Dance in the woods near the village. The young men play lively and vibrant melodies, while the young women dance gracefully in sync with the music, smiling and turning in unison. The phrase “if you don’t dance, you’re not truly living” reflects their enthusiasm for this dance. If a couple enjoys dancing together, they may decide to spend their lives together in the dance circle.

The Bamboo Flute and Tree Leaves serve as important tools for communication and love among the Sani people. The bamboo flutes, typically around a foot long with seven openings, produce melodies that resemble birds singing or the sound of a “heavenly emperor” soaring through the sky. During dates, young men play passionate tunes on the bamboo flute, while young women respond with melodies from tree leaves. These instruments help facilitate their expression of affection, creating strong emotional connections.

In their traditional courtship, young men often wait by the roadside at night wrapped in a Wobo (披单, a type of cloth), and when they spot a young woman, they quickly unwrap the cloth, wrapping it around the woman and themselves. They walk and talk together, and if they get along, they find a quiet spot to discuss their feelings. If they do not connect, they part ways.

During traditional festivals, young men and women from surrounding villages gather to participate in celebratory activities. The young men wear their favorite hemp shirts and play the bamboo flute, while the young women, with colorful headscarves, cheerfully follow the men to the celebration venue. Here, the exchange of love tokens takes place, with men gifting a Kua (a type of clothing) and women returning a belt. If both are interested, they go into the woods to sing the Gai Mi (该迷) and share their affection, discussing their marriage plans. If one person gives a gift but does not receive one in return, it is seen as a rejection of the proposal.

Traditional Festivals and Customs

The Sani people have unique and meaningful customs around their traditional festivals. One of the most important events is the Spring Festival (春节), known as Si Cuo Qi (思搓期) in the Sani language. On New Year’s Eve, families honor their ancestors and prepare for the New Year with solemnity. In the afternoon, families place green branches in front of their doors, with a straw hat hanging from the branches. This serves as a silent signal to visitors that they should not enter or speak, even among family members.

An interesting linguistic note in the Sani language is that the words for “Tangyuan” (sweet rice dumplings) and “celebrating the New Year” are the same: Kuo Qi Ma (阔期玛), as eating Tangyuan is a traditional practice for the New Year.

Celebrations and Rituals

The celebrations last for half a month starting from the first day of the lunar New Year. On the evening of the first day, a bonfire party is held, featuring folk songs, Sanxian solo performances, and lively dances, with the Sanxian music ringing out in energetic beats. The festival atmosphere is joyful, with people dancing and singing in harmony.

  • On the second day, the Sani people honor the Mountain God (山神), performing rituals to ensure a prosperous year.

  • On the fourth day, they send Fire Stars (火星) as a ritual to drive away misfortune and demonstrate human strength.

  • On the second afternoon of the New Year, farmers lead their oxen around the village, adorning them with red cloth flowers as a sign of respect for the ox’s contribution. The oxen are fed rice and fatty pork, reflecting the Sani people’s reverence for their hardworking animals.

From New Year’s Eve to the fifth day of the New Year, ancestor worship activities are carried out, showing the deep respect and admiration the Sani people have for their ancestors. These traditions highlight the strong sense of community and moral values that define the Sani culture.

Mythical Legends

In the region of A Zhe Di (阿着底), where the Sani people live, there was a couple, Ge Lu Ri Ming, who farmed the mountains and lived in a thatched house. They had a brave son, A Hei, and a beautiful daughter, Ah Shi Ma. One day, a flower appeared in the sky, and a lovely girl was born. She was named Ah Shi Ma, and her name became famous far and wide, as fragrant as herbs. By the time she turned sixteen, she was working in the fields with her brother, A Hei. A Hei would plow ahead, and Ah Shi Ma would follow, scattering manure and planting seeds.

When Ah Shi Ma turned seventeen, she adorned her head with an embroidered flower hat, and her beauty captured everyone’s attention. Her embroidered waistband shimmered brightly, making everyone who looked at her fall in love. Her parents, noticing that their daughter had grown up, secretly asked her whom she liked. She replied, “I like those who work hard in the fields, just as water and mountains are inseparable. I admire those who plant in spring and harvest in autumn. Those who know how to farm, I would love.”

“Someone who dances gracefully and whose music attracts the birds—such a person I adore and cherish.” The youth in A Zhe Di (阿着底) fell secretly in love with her, visiting her multiple times each day.

A rich and cruel man, He Bu Ba La (热布巴拉), wanted to marry Ah Shi Ma off to his son, A Zhi (阿支). He asked Hai Re (海热) to act as a matchmaker. “If you bring me Ah Shi Ma, I’ll reward you generously with gold, silver, and livestock,” he promised. The repulsive Hai Re (海热) went to A Zhe Di (阿着底), trying to persuade Ah Shi Ma.

He said, “In He Bu Ba La’s (热布巴拉) house, silver beams and golden bricks await you. Such a wonderful family! Ah Shi Ma, you should marry there!”

Ah Shi Ma responded angrily, “I will not marry He Bu Ba La’s (热布巴拉) family. Clean water does not mix with dirty water, and I will never marry them, just like sheep do not partner with wolves.” Hai Re (海热) threatened her, “You must marry He Bu Ba La (热布巴拉), even if you don’t want to!”

However, Ah Shi Ma firmly refused. As He Bu Ba La’s (热布巴拉) men came to take her by force, she cried out for her brother, A Hei (阿黑), to come to her rescue.

A Hei (阿黑) had been far away herding sheep but dreamt one night of floods and giant snakes in his courtyard. He immediately rushed home, spending three days and nights to return. Upon hearing that Ah Shi Ma (阿诗玛) was in danger, he armed himself with a bow and arrows and rode off to rescue her. When he reached He Bu Ba La’s (热布巴拉) house, he called, “Ah Shi Ma (阿诗玛), where are you?”

A Zhi (阿支), He Bu Ba La’s (热布巴拉) son, shut the door to prevent A Hei (阿黑) from entering. He said, “We will compete in singing, tree chopping, planting seeds, and collecting them. If you win, you can see your sister.” The two sang a duet, with A Hei’s (阿黑) voice clear and loud, like a cicada’s call. He Bu Ba La’s (热布巴拉) son, A Zhi (阿支), struggled to keep up.

A Hei (阿黑) was fast and skilled in all tasks, easily defeating A Zhi (阿支) in each competition. In the end, He Bu Ba La’s (热布巴拉) family could not stop A Hei (阿黑) and Ah Shi Ma (阿诗玛) from being reunited.

Ah Shi Ma’s (阿诗玛) Final Rest

As the struggle continued, He Bu Ba La (热布巴拉) resorted to using trickery. He invoked the twelve cliffs (Shi Er Ya Zi Jiao 十二崖子脚) to block their path, and the waters rose, turning into a raging river that the siblings could not cross. As they held hands, the powerful waters threatened to drag Ah Shi Ma (阿诗玛) away. A Hei (阿黑), shouting her name, was desperate, but as the waters raged, Ah Shi Ma (阿诗玛) became the voice of an echo—whenever A Hei (阿黑) called, her voice would answer from the cliffs above.

Residential Architecture

In Shilin Yi Autonomous County (石林彝族自治县), the largest settlement of the Sani people, the diversity of geography influences the style of their dwellings. One of the most common types of house seen in the Yue Hu (月湖) area is the thatched cottage.

The thatched houses are built with stone foundations and rammed earth walls. Strong round or square wooden posts serve as the pillars, with a slanted roof covered with grass. The grass roofing is made by first soaking the grass, then using fire to dry it, making the roof both durable and fire-resistant. Although simpler than tile-roofed houses, the thatched cottages are cost-effective and provide warmth in the winter and coolness in the summer.

Other traditional Sani dwellings include the Tuku (土库) houses of Hai Yi (海邑), the Nuo Hei (糯黑) stone slab houses, and the He He (和合) reed houses, each representing a unique cultural expression of the Sani people.

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Sani Ethnic People

Traditional Clothing

The traditional clothing of the Sani people, a subgroup of the Yi ethnic group (彝族), is colorful and vibrant. Although woven fabrics have long been incorporated into their daily life, the Sani people continue to use ancient looms and traditional techniques to create their garments. As early as the Ming (明) and Qing (清) dynasties, embroidery became popular among the Sani women of Shilin Yi Autonomous County (石林彝族自治县). During breaks from farming, women would use hemp, yarn, and handwoven hemp cloth to create intricate patterns and sew their beloved “Ah Shi Ma” (阿诗玛) garments. From an early age, Sani girls hone their embroidery skills, stitching without patterns or guidelines, relying on their creativity and imagination to create beautiful designs.

The embroidery patterns of the Sani people are inspired by nature. They often feature distinctive elements like the local landscape, flowers, birds, fish, and animals, which are carefully replicated, refined, and stylized. Designs like the “Beautiful Flower” (美雨花), “Sunflower” (太阳花), and “Eight-Petal Flower” (八角花) represent the Sani people’s appreciation for beauty and their wishes for good fortune. Small, lively tigers (虎) often appear as a totem symbol, reflecting the Sani people’s deep connection with their traditions.

Sani men wear sleeveless, front-fastening short coats made from hemp fabric, embroidered with patterns and bordered with blue or other colored fabrics, presenting a simple and athletic appearance. Sani women wear colorful flower hats made of silk ribbons in seven colors, including red, green, blue, purple, yellow, white, and cyan. These hats are decorated with silver beads, white pearls, or shells, and are further adorned with embroidered triangles. Once a girl finds someone she loves, she removes the triangles and gives them as a token of affection. The jingling sound of beads as they walk draws attention and highlights the beauty of the wearer.

Sani women’s attire also includes a right-opening, high-collared long gown, bordered with colorful floral fabric or delicate embroidery. A red or black waistband is tied around their waist, featuring embroidered designs. They wear blue, white, or black trousers with colorful ribbon borders and embroidered shoes. This outfit enhances the elegance and beauty of the Sani girls.

Floral Headwraps

The floral headwrap, worn by Sani women, is an important part of their traditional attire, much like the legendary “Ah Shi Ma” (阿诗玛). The headwrap is typically handmade by skilled young women and measures about 3 meters long and 0.17 meters wide. It features intricate multicolored patterns, and its quality signifies the wisdom and abilities of the girl. The headwrap, also known as “Wo Jie” (窝结), is made of seven different colors of silk threads, including red, green, blue, purple, yellow, white, and cyan. The edges are decorated with silver beads, and the two sides of the headwrap are adorned with colorful embroidered triangles that resemble butterflies.

The Sani people believe the headwrap mimics the rainbow in the sky, commemorating a pair of lovers who threw themselves into the fire and transformed into a seven-colored rainbow. The headwrap symbolizes loyal and eternal love. During the annual Torch Festival (火把节) on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month, young men and women gather at Yuehu (月湖) to sing and exchange love songs. If a girl is fond of a boy, she will remove one of the butterflies from her headwrap and give it to him as a token of their love. If a Sani girl only has one butterfly, it means she is already taken. After marriage and children, Sani women wear their butterfly headwrap flat on their heads, with fewer decorations and no silver beads or strings of beads.

Songs

You can often hear beautiful songs echoing across the fields in the distance. One of the most famous songs, “Please Stay, Faraway Guests” (远方的客人请你留下来), was written by local Sani composer Jin Xian (金贤) and adapted by Mr. Mai Ding (麦丁). This well-known Yi folk song has become the county song of Shilin County (石林县). The Sani people not only sing during their work and farming seasons, but they also express their emotions through singing and dancing when courting.

Under the moonlight, young men bring their Da San Xian (大三弦), Yue Qin (月琴), and bamboo flutes, inviting girls to join them for dances in the village woods. The young men play the short flute and strum their Da San Xian, while the girls move gracefully to the music, their steps light and elegant. If a couple dances harmoniously, they may agree to marry in the dance hall.

The Da San Xian Dance

A legend is associated with the Da San Xian dance. In ancient times, the Yi people lived deep in the mountains and practiced slash-and-burn agriculture. Every year during the planting season, the tribal leaders would force the people to first plant their land before allowing them to plant their own crops. In their haste to plant, the farmers, without shoes, would step on the hot soil, causing discomfort. As a result, they would lift their feet after every three steps, kicking their feet twice before continuing. This dance-like movement, recalling this painful memory, was later incorporated into the Da San Xian dance, also known as “Jumping Music” (Tiao Le 跳乐), with the accompanying music played on the Da San Xian and other instruments.

Wedding Customs

When you pass by a Sani household with a large red “happiness” character posted on the door, it is a sign that a wedding has just taken place. The Sani wedding consists of three stages: “drinking small wine,” “drinking medium wine,” and “drinking large wine.” After the final stage, the groom, dressed in festive attire and surrounded by a group of friends, goes to the bride’s house to formally marry her. The groom’s party carries baskets filled with grain, vegetables, clothes, and silver jewelry as gifts for the bride.

Upon arriving at the bride’s home, the bride’s family will intentionally close the door and refuse entry until the groom’s party competes in a singing contest with the bride’s family. The girls often play tricks, smearing the groom’s face with pot ash, causing embarrassment. The groom’s party retaliates by doing the same to the girls, resulting in laughter and a joyful atmosphere at the wedding.

Traditional Festivals

Torch Festival (火把节)

The Torch Festival is the most significant traditional celebration for the Yi ethnic group (彝族), particularly for the Sani people, held annually on the 24th day of the sixth month of the lunar calendar. According to legend, the Sani people rose up against a tyrannical local ruler in ancient times. To celebrate their victory, they established the Torch Festival on this day. The festival lasts for three days. On the first day, families gather to celebrate, while the following days are filled with exciting activities such as wrestling, horse racing, bullfighting, boat races, and tug-of-war. The event culminates in a grand bonfire party that lasts all night, with people dancing, singing, and reveling in the festive atmosphere.

Miji Festival (密枝节)

The Miji Festival, which lasts for seven days in November, is the “Men’s Festival” for the Sani people. During this festival, the men of Yuehu Village (月湖村) participate in a sacred ritual led by the Bimo (毕摩), the priest, in the dense and lush Miji Forest (密枝林), also known as the “Sacred Mountain.” They slaughter animals as offerings to the Miji God (密枝神), praying for good weather and a prosperous year, and for the well-being of the entire village. Men gather on the sacred mountain to share a meal and drink with the gods. During the feast, they also criticize village officials for any mistakes in their work and call out villagers who have violated the community’s rules or exhibited bad behavior. Despite the harsh words, the criticism is considered a part of a “democratic meeting” organized by the gods, with no lingering resentment. This ritual plays an important role in promoting good conduct and reinforcing the Sani people’s traditions.

Bu Nian Festival (补年节)

The Bu Nian Festival is celebrated by the Yi people (彝族) in regions such as Sichuan (四川), Yunnan (云南), and Guizhou (贵州). This second New Year celebration occurs on the 10th and 11th days of the second lunar month. On the morning of the 10th day, families prepare a sumptuous reunion meal, after which the housewife offers a drink to the men in the family. Then, the entire family shares lunch together. At noon, all the men, regardless of age, gather at the homes of two Ma Gong Ba (麻公巴), who are said to be the embodiments of ancestors’ military leaders. At these houses, only alcohol is served, and no food is eaten. The next day, people of all ages gather at the Dancing Square (舞坪) where the two Ma Gong Ba lead them in a Copper Drum Dance (铜鼓舞), following designated paths set by the La Me (老主人, the elder) and the Sa Nan (萨南, the song leader). After dancing, the Yang Ba (仰巴, a player of the five-pipe reed instrument) plays a tune on the Wu Sheng (五笙), and everyone enjoys lunch together, toasting and celebrating the festival.

Qing Nian Festival (庆年节)

The Qing Nian Festival is a traditional Yi (彝族) festival celebrated annually in the tenth lunar month. During this festival, the Yi people exchange well wishes and blessings, engaging in singing, dancing, and other joyous activities to mark the occasion. It is a time for unity and celebration among the community.

Television Drama Appearance

“The New Legend of Ah Shi Ma” (阿诗玛新传)

The New Legend of Ah Shi Ma is considered China’s first “ethnic idol drama” and primarily depicts the modern story of Ah Shi Ma (阿诗玛), from her hometown to Shanghai, where she meets a Korean musician. The drama explores themes of love, tradition, and cultural exchange.

  • Title: The New Legend of Ah Shi Ma (阿诗玛新传)

  • Also Known As: The Corner of Heaven (天堂的转角)

  • Episodes: 21

  • Year: 2005

  • Co-production: CCTV Zhongshi Media Cultural Development Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Taoyuan Cultural Communication Co., Ltd.

This drama has become a cultural milestone, highlighting the rich heritage and romantic tales of the Yi people.