Writing for the Wa
by Xiao Kang
"T hey say to me, ‘Mr Rong, you can’t
read the scriptures, you must
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A Ko’s students practising a traditional dance.

recite them from memory! We heard you could recite scriptures, but it turns out that you just read them!’” Sam Rong is describing the job of a jao bīh, a traditional Wa holy man. The jao bīh performs rituals on behalf of the sick. Occasionally, Sam Rong is called upon to act as jao bīh. “With one hand I pour the liquor onto the
ground,” Sam Rong continues, “and with the other I hold out my book, reading the chants that I have written down. Then they all laugh at me!”
[Full story]




The Vagabond and the Snake - Western Mountain Lalo (Western Yi) folk tale

Mozzarella of the East: History and possible origins of Bai cheese by Bryan Allen

The Day of the Duck by Mo Rui Qiu










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More Ethnic Art Products
from the editor
If you haven’t visited our online shop
recently, it’s time to come back for
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Yi book covers
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Yi 'shirt' magnets
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Bai Tie-dye Tablecloth
a visit! We are pleased to present several new ethnic art products from people groups in Yunnan Province. As with previous products, these items are handmade.
  From the Bai people, we are featuring their famous tie-dyed tablecloths in two sizes and two colors. These designs have been particularly popular with individuals who enjoy earthy, artsy décor. Hardly a trekker comes to the Yunnan region without purchasing at least one or two Bai tie-dye batiks to take home. I enjoyed using them to decorate my home in Yunnan: as wall hangings, table cloths, and to cover up ugly electronics.
  From the Yi people group, we are happy to offer you a chance to own samples of their well-known hand embroidery. Typically, they use their patterns to embroider motifs on their ethnic costumes, shoes, head coverings, and bags. We are marketing their colorful
designs on items that will be more fitting for the international customer: magnets and book covers. These items will brighten any bookshelf, desk or metal surface!
  We are writing the stories on this website with a view to give you a virtual firsthand visit through the regions of the ethnic minorities of China. After hearing some words from their languages, listening to songs, seeing photos, and with a few pieces of their ethnic art in your own home, you might even have trouble being convinced yourself you didn’t make the trip yourself after all!