Yin Xiangfang - Inheritor of Deang Folk Song in Lujiang Town, Baoshan 

Yin Xiangfang (尹香芳), born in 1966 in Mangyan Village (芒颜村), Lujiang Township (潞江乡), Longyang District (隆阳区), Baoshan City (保山市), Yunnan Province (云南省), is a renowned inheritor of De’ang ethnic folk songs and a recognized provincial-level representative of intangible cultural heritage. Known as the “Nightingale of the De’ang People”, she has mastered a wide range of traditional tunes and contributed significantly to the preservation, innovation, and promotion of De’ang music and dance culture.

Background and Artistic Lineage

Early Life and Training

• Enlightenment Stage: At age 12, she began learning De’ang mountain songs and folk tunes from her aunt.

• Family Influence: Inspired by her relatives, especially an aunt skilled in music and dance, she practiced by humming along whenever she heard others singing.

• Hands-on Learning: While working in the fields, she continued learning melodies from elders, gradually mastering the essence of De’ang traditional music.

Artistic Achievements and Representative Works

Artistic Features

1. Mastery of Multiple Tunes: Proficient in eight forms of De’ang music, including mountain songs, folk ditties, water-drum tunes, funeral songs, toasting songs, and lullabies.

2. Unique Singing Style: Her voice is bright, penetrating, and highly expressive—earning her the affectionate title “Nightingale.”

3. Creativity and Innovation: She composes and adapts traditional music, blending cultural heritage with contemporary expression.

Selected Works

Social Recognition and Influence

• Official Recognition: Named a provincial-level representative inheritor of intangible cultural heritage by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.

• Public Role: Served three consecutive terms as a deputy to the Baoshan People’s Congress, representing ethnic minority culture.

• Media Coverage: Featured in Yunnan Net and Sina News, widely recognized as the “Nightingale of the De’ang People.”

• Educational Contribution: In 2025, appointed by Baoshan No. 8 Middle School to develop intangible heritage curriculum on De’ang traditional music and dance.

Transmission and Cultural Contribution

Teaching and Mentorship

• Disciples: Trained over 20 young De’ang singers, many of whom are part of the De’ang Folk Performance Troupe she founded.

• Teaching Method: Relies on oral transmission and hands-on guidance, ensuring authenticity.

• Cultural Teamwork: Established the Lujiang De’ang Folk Performance Troupe (潞江德昂族民间文艺歌舞队) in April 2001, serving as its leader.

• Personal Dedication: Invested over 5,000 RMB of her own savings to purchase costumes and props for her troupe.

Cultural Impact

• Preservation: Collected, organized, and performed traditional songs and dances such as Water-Drum Dance (水鼓舞) and Toasting Song (敬酒歌), which were included in Baoshan’s intangible cultural heritage list in 2008.

• Innovation: Choreographed new dances like the Eight-Step Dance (八步舞), Mahjong Dance (搓麻舞), and Tea-Picking Dance (采茶舞), blending tradition with fresh vitality.

• Promotion: Through public performances and cultural events, she enriched community life and raised awareness of De’ang cultural identity.

Cultural Background of De’ang Folk Songs

Ethnic History and Tea Heritage

• Ancient Origins: The De’ang are one of Yunnan’s oldest ethnic groups, tracing their ancestry to the ancient Pu people.

• Mythical Roots: According to the De’ang epic Dagu Daleng Gelai Biao (达古达楞格莱标), the ancestors of the De’ang were “102 tea-leaf spirits,” symbolizing their deep connection with tea.

• Tea Culture: Known as the “Ancient Tea People,” the De’ang live in tea-growing villages where tea cultivation and tea rituals shape their cultural identity.

Musical Characteristics and Value

Challenges in Cultural Transmission

• Oral Tradition: Without a written language, De’ang heritage relies entirely on oral transmission, making it fragile.

• Modern Pressures: Younger generations often pursue modern livelihoods, distancing themselves from traditional culture.

• Preservation Measures: Government and cultural organizations have recorded and archived songs and dances to safeguard them.

• Innovative Inheritors: Artists like Yin Xiangfang ensure vitality through adaptation, creativity, and training new cultural bearers.

Conclusion

Yin Xiangfang (尹香芳) embodies the spirit of the De’ang people through her powerful voice and tireless dedication. For more than five decades, she has preserved, revitalized, and promoted the folk music and dance of her people. As the “Nightingale of the De’ang People”, she not only safeguards the past but also gives new life to the cultural future of the De’ang (德昂族).