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A Visit to Chinese Minorities This is the first of a Chinese Minorities Series that aim to present the interesting aspects of the different minorities in China. In this issue, SinoTalks introduces the Yi minority. |
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| Yi(彝): The Fire Group and Ashima | |
The Yi minority lives in Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, and the northwest of Guangxi provinces of China. Members of this group have a unique language,
syllabic writing and calendar systems. There are also many sub-branches and 6 different dialects within Yi. Dancing and singing are a dominant aspect
of this culture. These very congenial people also like to drink , and would zealously invite guests to drink. 
One of the famous sights is the Ashima rock. Its origin, according to a popular legend, was from a beautiful and skilled maiden named Ashima. Ashima, meaning "as precious and bright as gold" in the Sani (撒尼) dialect of Yi, was kidnapped by the son of an evil leader and was forced to marry him. Her love, Ahei, went to save her with his magic bows and arrows. Ahei and the kidnapper fought by singing for 3 days and 3 nights; Ahei finally won by outlasting his opponent in the contest. On the way home, however, Ashima was drowned by a flood and became what is known as the Ashima rock today. Standing there in her traditional costume, carrying a basket and looking far, she represents goodness and blessing to the Yi ever since. All of the Yi festivals are packed with dancing and singing. The most important Yi festival is the "Torch Festival", as fire is most sacred to the Yi. The festival takes place during the 24th or 25th day of the 6th month in the lunar calendar, and lasts for 3 days. A very important part of the celebration is to worship ancestors and pray for a good harvest. Some Yi members would sing praises to motherhood and burn a straw costume that represents the ancestors (the Sky Father and the Earth Mother). People would also jump over fire to get rid of evil spirits. To worship the fire is to worship ancestors. Fire is a recurring theme of the festival, for the Yi regards fire as a sacred element that has the power to evoke spirits and unite people with their ancestors. |
Other activities in the festival include feasting, burning vermins, bullfighting, goat-fighting, cockfighting, horse races, wrestling, beauty contest, singing contest, and dances. Children shepherds would receive foods from their employers. They would then gather together, put all the food into a pile, share and play games. The climax of this festivity takes place at night, when people would carry torches and parade out to the hills to gather together. These thousands of light spots made by the torches would create a pattern of golden dragons in the dark. At the meeting place, people would set up a bonfire and sing, dance, and play music instruments. And of course, there would be more feasting. At the bonfire party, single men and women would court each other and eventually pair up. They would not speak to each other, but use music instruments to communicate. Traditionally each pair would go into the mountains. The couple lives together for a few days there. Afterward they each return to their respective homes, and are not likely to see each other anymore because they usually live far apart. They would marry if the woman is pregnant. If not, the woman and man may court (possibly with other people) again at the next Torch Festival, where the same process repeats itself. Thus all Yi first born children are born within the same month when the parents met in this way. Because the Torch Festival is the most beautiful festival of the Yi, the best time to visit them is to go in July (6th month of the lunar calendar). If you want to know more about the Yi, the best website is the at Yi People's Network2 (彝族人網) (Chinese site). Although there are not many English websites that focuses on the Yi, the site of the Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the UN and the site of China Tours & Tour Packages Service may give some more information.
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