Yanhan Gelin - "Moba" Priest of Wa Sacrificial Activities in Ximeng County, Puer 

Basic Profile

? Role of the “Moba” in Wa Culture

A Spiritual Mediator

In traditional Wa (佤族) society, the Moba (魔巴) plays the vital role of mediating between people and the spiritual world. Master Yan inherited this knowledge from his family and, since a young age, has been able to independently preside over important village rituals.

Ritual Leadership

The Wa believe that all things have spirits. Rituals are frequent and complex, and Yan Han’gelin fully masters the procedures and meanings of these ceremonies in Ximeng (西盟).

Preserving History and Mythology

He is also a storyteller of Wa cultural memory:

• Recounts the Wa creation myth, the Sigangli (司岗里) legend

• Narrates village migration histories

• Recites ancestral genealogies

In this way, he serves as a “living dictionary” of Wa oral history.

Music and Arts

Master Yan also sings and chants Wa folk songs, and he crafts and performs traditional instruments such as the Wa flute (佤笛) and the one-stringed zither (独弦琴).

? Cultural Transmission and Legacy

• In 2007, Yan Han’gelin was officially recognized as a Provincial-level Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Inheritor.

• His son, Yan Bing, continues to learn as his apprentice, ensuring the lineage of this precious cultural heritage.

Community Efforts in Cultural Protection

Ximeng County (西盟县) actively supports heritage conservation through:

• Intangible cultural heritage program applications

• Establishing cultural protection zones, such as the Yuesong Township Yongla Wa Traditional Cultural Protection Zone (岳宋乡永老佤族传统文化保护区)

These efforts provide a fertile ground for traditions like those embodied by Master Yan to survive and flourish.

? Conclusion

Master Yan Han’gelin is not only a ritual priest skilled in ceremonial practices but also a cultural master deeply versed in Wa history, oral literature, and music. He represents a living treasure of Wa heritage and embodies the vibrant continuity of traditional culture in Ximeng (西盟).