Xiong Ziyi – Inheritor of Lisu Folk Music in Weixi County, Diqing
Individual Profile
Xiong Ziyi （熊自义）, Yi ethnic minority, whose Lisu name is Jie Boruo（芥柏若）, was born in 1941, living in New Lomi Eba village（新洛米俄巴村）, Yezhi township（叶枝乡）, Weixi county（维西县） of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture（迪庆藏族自治州）. He learned Lisu’s language and music from Mr. Wang Renbo(汪刃波) since his childhood.
Career
When he was 8 or 9 years old, he sang “Zhilumugua”直鲁目刮 (grazing melody), tending sheep on the mountain. 17 or 18 years old, singing “Niyimugua”尼义目刮 (labor melody), Working in the fields. When he was 20 years old, sing “Nichimugua”尼赤目刮 (loving melody) and married the most beautiful girl in the village as his wife. At the age of 25, singing “Chuyumugua”处于目刮 (funeral melody) and “Qimahua”起马华目刮 (marriage melody), He helped some families preside over the funeral ceremony or the wedding ceremony.
Influences
Xiong Ziyi can not only sing many tunes, but also master the full set of singing and dancing movements of “Achimu gua”（阿尺目刮）. He is indispensable to host, dance and sing in all kinds of sacrificial activities of festivals in the village. Especially in the Yi’s New Year (Kuoshi Festival阔食节), he also served as the leader and organizer of large dance activities in the village. Since the reform and opening up, with his 60 years of artistic practice experience, no matter Chinese or foreign audiences who have watched his performances are all amazed.
Chinese Version: http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13110-825.html
