Shu Yinjia – Inheritor of Naxi Dongba Culture in Shangri-la, Diqing 

Profile of Shu Yinjia

Shu Yinjia(树银甲) is a Naxi ethnic Dongba culture inheritor from Sanba Township (三坝乡), Shangri-La City (香格里拉市), Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省). Recognized as the “Holy Land of Dongba Religion,” Sanba Township (三坝乡) remains the birthplace and dissemination center of Naxi Dongba culture, preserving rich traditional practices.

Dongba Cultural Heritage Background

Naxi Dongba culture represents an ancient cultural system encompassing:

• Dongba script
• Pictographic painting
• Ritual music
• Sacred dances
• Ceremonial practices

Centered on Dongba Religion (东巴教), its priests (“Dongba” (东巴) conduct rituals for blessings, exorcisms, and deity worship. This tradition forms a vital component of both Naxi ethnic identity and China’s intangible cultural heritage.

Shu Yinjia’s Preservation Work

As a cultural inheritor, Shu has dedicated himself to:

• Mastering traditional Dongba script, art, and rituals
• Conducting cultural transmission activities
• Training apprentices
• Organizing educational events

His efforts ensure the continuity of Dongba knowledge to younger generations.

Significance of Cultural Inheritance

Dongba culture preservation:

• Strengthens Naxi ethnic identity
• Maintains social cohesion
• Serves as traditional moral education
• Protects cultural diversity

Through inheritors like Shu, this ancient tradition continues thriving in modern society.

Recent Cultural Activities

On March 7, 2025, the second “Pilgrimage to White Water” (朝白水) Dongba cultural tourism event was held in Sanba Township (三坝乡), attracting numerous visitors and enthusiasts. Such activities:

• Enhance cultural visibility
• Provide inheritor platforms
• Facilitate knowledge exchange

As a key inheritor, Shu Yinjia plays an irreplaceable role in preserving and promoting this unique cultural heritage through his dedicated work.

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