"Dagelai" is an ancient instrument played by multiple people. The two sides,
or "shoulders" are used to strike the prevailing rhythm, the sides of the "head"
are hung with cymbals, and the front is a drum traditionally made of tiger skin.
The Wa also have all manner of flutes and other wind instruments, such as the
whistle which emulates birdcalls. The "jianbula" consists of a simple leaf from
a tree. The "side flute" is also called the "cowherd flute"; the children play
it while riding on the backs of cattle. The long flute is played differently for
herding, call and response songs or love songs. The Wa say that the sound of the
"Dagelai" can turn one hundred women into quails.
6- "Flower Waist Yi" Dance (series)
The Flower Waist (Huayao) are a branch of the Yi people residing in Yunnan's
Honghe Prefecture. The women here learn the art of embroidery from their mothers
at an early age. The product of their decade of labor serves as their bridal
gown. During festivals, the women wear these elaborate dresses while singing
beautiful rhythms and dancing complex movements, which is truly a sight to
behold.
7 "Flower Waist Yi" Songs
The songs of the Flower Waist Yi are separated into epics, medium length
songs and short songs. Most of the lyrics are about their creation story, their
migration history, love and loss, or serenity in the face of death. Their
longest song can be sung for seven days and nights´
8 Crying at the Wedding (Yi of Luchun County)
"Crying at the Wedding" is an ancient custom, and the last ritual of giving a
woman up for marriage. It is an important rite for any woman. Across China, each
region and people has their own special way of performing this rite. There are
many reasons for crying at the wedding; some cry to say goodbye to their
parents, their people, their homeland or their youth, others are expressing
conflicting emotions about their future´
9 Angmatu (offering to the village spirit) (Hani of Jianshui County, Honghe
Prefecture)
Angmatu is a form of ritual offering practiced by the Hani of Honghe
Prefecture. Before the ceremony begins, a host must be chosen; all of the men
and women of the village must take responsibility for a task. The ceremony is
held in a nearby forest, and all the people of the village must protect that
forest's ecology. Among the trees, they choose a large, thick one to serve as
the "village spirit". The offering is held to pray for good weather, a bountiful
harvest, and peace for the village's people and livestock.
