Shao Yongcai - Representative Inheritor of  Yi Left Leg Dance Project in Mouding County, Chuxiong

Shao Yongcai (born 1976) from Lawan Village (腊湾村), Fengtun Town (凤屯镇), Mouding County (牟定县), Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture (楚雄彝族自治州), Yunnan Province, is the representative inheritor of the provincial-level Intangible Cultural Heritage project: Yi Zuojiao Dance (左脚舞), also known as Magu Dance (玛咕舞, literally “Old People’s Dance”).

His career bridges a crucial era — from the urgent rescue of this endangered dance to its revival as a living tradition. For more than 40 years, Shao has dedicated himself to preserving and innovating this ancient art, transforming it from a remote village ritual into a performance recognized on national cultural stages. He is praised as a “living specimen of an ancient dance hidden deep in the Ailao Mountains (哀牢山).”

Family Roots and Early Training

Born into a family of Yi dancers, Shao was immersed from childhood in the rituals and traditions of Magu Dance (玛咕舞). At age 14, he apprenticed under Qi Wanfu (起万富), a renowned provincial folk artist, and systematically learned the 24-step footwork and Sanhu (三胡) string instrument techniques.

With his sharp intuition, Shao was able to replicate the raw rhythm of ancient movements such as “hook-leg lift” and “waist-twist hip-sway.” His style blends the solemnity of Bimo (毕摩) ritual ceremonies with the agility of Yi “song-dance” (跳歌), balancing grace and strength.

In 2006, representing Mouding County (牟定县), Shao performed Magu Dance at the opening of the Chuxiong Torch Festival (楚雄火把节), marking the start of his professional artistic career.

Core Skills and Cultural Guardianship

1. A Standard-Bearer of Living Tradition

Shao preserves the complete ritual and dance system of Magu Dance (玛咕舞):

• Ritual Integrity: From “inviting the gods” to “farewell ceremony,” Shao follows nine traditional steps. During the annual ritual on the eighth day of the first lunar month, he leads dancers in painting animal patterns on faces, donning rattan beast costumes, and performing symbolic steps such as “the arrival of the mother tiger” — left foot leading, quick alternating steps — to reflect the Yi people’s tiger totem worship.

• Authenticity of Movements: Agricultural gestures such as “plowing” and “sowing” are preserved. His innovations, like the “deer hoof triple step” and “tail sweep dust kick,” are now listed in the Compendium of Chinese Ethnic Dances: Yunnan Volume (《中国民族舞蹈集成·云南卷》) as standard moves for Magu Dance.

2. Rescuing an Endangered Heritage

When Magu Dance was nearly extinct — with only two elders able to perform it — Shao launched a revival effort:

• Field Research: He visited over 30 Yi villages around Lawan (腊湾), documenting more than 20 ancient songs and recording 80 hours of original dance footage.

• Living Teaching: Shao opened a “Magu Dance Night School” (玛咕舞夜校) around the fire pit, passing knowledge orally and through body memory. Today, over 200 villagers — up from just 2 — can perform Magu Dance.

A Three-Dimensional Transmission System

• Family Transmission: His son, Shao Wenjun (邵文军), can now independently perform core rituals such as “Tiger God Worship.”

• School Programs: At Fengtun Central Primary School (凤屯镇中心小学), Shao developed a school-based Magu Dance curriculum, even adapting traditional stories like “The Tale of the Bees” into student exercises. Over 150 youths have been trained.

• Community Training: He established the “Shao Yongcai Magu Dance Training Institute” (邵永才玛咕舞传习所), mentoring 41 apprentices. His leading disciple, Yan Wenbian (岩温扁), now performs major works like “Dance of the Beasts.”

Cultural Promotion and Innovation

1. A Cultural Ambassador on National Platforms

• Recognition: In 2010, Shao was named a provincial-level inheritor of Intangible Cultural Heritage. His performances have been featured on CCTV’s Homeland China (《乡土中国》) and his teaching videos have gained over 1 million views on Douyin (抖音).

• Awards: In 2019, he led his troupe to win the Silver Prize of the “Caiyun Award” (彩云奖) and received the “Best Performer Award.”

2. Innovator of Cultural Tourism

• Scenic Integration: At Zixishan Scenic Area (紫溪山景区), Shao designed an immersive Magu Dance experience where visitors can try face painting, costume wearing, and simple choreography. Over 12,000 people participate annually, boosting local incomes.

• Festival Revitalization: Each year, the Lawan Magu Dance Cultural Festival (腊湾玛咕舞文化节) showcases traditional and cross-cultural works, attracting over 300,000 online viewers.

Intangible Heritage Protection and Policy Practice

1. Systematic Protection

• Digital Archiving: With Yunnan Minzu University (云南民族大学), Shao helped create 3D scans of 20 key movements, now available in VR through the Learning Power (学习强国) platform.

• Repertoire Revival: He re-staged endangered plays like “Dou Yi Passes the Exam” (窦仪下科) and “Burning the Mill” (火烧磨房), combining traditional themes with modern stagecraft.

2. Policy and Social Support

• Funding: Provincial funds supported the training center and recording equipment, while providing stipends for apprentices.

• Policy Innovation: Shao helped establish the “Huashan Magu Dance Advocacy Troupe” (花山玛咕舞宣讲团), integrating government policy education into traditional performances.

Challenges and Breakthroughs

Despite achievements, Shao faces challenges:

• Generational Gap: Learning Magu Dance takes 10–15 years. Most of his disciples are over 40, with only two under 30.

• Market Limitations: Sacred rituals have limited audiences, while cultural products face profit challenges.

Solutions:

• Technology: Partnered with Huawei’s “Digital Heritage” project to create VR lessons, with over 1.5 million views.

• Fusion Music: Released “Tiger’s Roar, New Rhythms” (《虎啸新韵》), where the single “Firepit Conversations” reached 3 million plays on Douyin.

• Youth Training: Weekend classes at Mouding Youth Center (牟定县青少年活动中心) use games and role-play to attract children, training 120+ students.

Cultural Value and Modern Significance

Shao’s lifelong work carries threefold value:

• Historical Research: Preserved Bimo scriptures and rituals provide live material for studying Yi religion and society.

• Social Cohesion: In multi-ethnic Mouding County, Magu Dance strengthens bonds across Yi, Han, and Lisu communities, earning recognition as a “Demonstration Team for Ethnic Unity in Yunnan.”

• Educational Innovation: His model of “traditional skills + modern education” has been promoted across all 16 prefectures of Yunnan Province.

As Shao himself says:

“Magu Dance is not just steps — it is the cultural code engraved in the bones of the Yi people.”

Through balance between tradition and innovation, Shao Yongcai has brought an ancient Yi dance from mountain villages onto the international stage — a living testament to the diversity and unity of Chinese civilization.