Sheepskin Inspiring

Sheepskin drum dance, called "Ranmubi" in Yi language, is a funeral custom dance of Yi nationality spread in the area of Lijiazhuang Village, Badaoshao Yi Township, Qiubei County. It is named after the sheepskin drum as the main accompaniment instrument and was listed in the provincial intangible heritage protection list in 2017. Sheepskin drum dance shows the strong feelings of the black Yi branch of the Yi people living in the mountains from one side, and reveals the historical traces of farming culture in the dance. According to local villagers, sheepskin drum dance has been passed down from generation to generation in Guzui Village.

In Qiubei County, Badaoxao Township, Lijiazhuang Village, Guzu Village, there is a dance called the sheepskin dance. Whenever a grand sacrificial event is held in the village, a sheepskin dance performance is held. Dozens of men gather around the empty field. There are many patterns on their bare bodies. Brown leaves are tied around their waists and leaves are on their heads. Accompanied by a drum instrument made of sheepskin, they bow their waists and dance with their hands. They dance and revel, and from time to time, they shout "Oh, Oh, this dance is primitive and ancient, with a very mysterious color.

Musical instruments and costumes of sheepskin drum dance

The Yi sheepskin drum dance is primitive and ancient, with a mysterious color, and has been fully displayed in the large-scale cultural performances at the opening ceremony of the Qiubei Yi Flower Face Festival. Sacrificial activities, sheepskin inspiration, face wiping, prayer for stability and peace, all of which are inextricably linked to the Chubei Puzhe Black Face Festival. So, what is the origin of the Qiubei Yi Flower Face Festival? It is understood that a long time ago, the ancestors of the Yi nationality in Qiubei migrated here from far away places. The ancestors lived here and lived a relatively quiet life. Our ancestors worked at sunrise and settled at sunset. A relatively quiet life, but the good times did not last long. This kind of beautiful life aroused the jealousy of White Dragon. Prince White Dragon always came out to make waves and caused great disasters to the common people. Therefore, every year on the second day of February, the common people always prepare some sacrificial offerings, choose a place with high mountains, surround a big tree to worship the dragon, and pray for good weather and safe life. One day, there was a little girl named Anai in the village who was in love with Ahei young man and was about to get married. I don't know how this news reached Prince Bai Long's ears. He came to the village with "makeup" and saw Anai like a fairy., And began to have a bad heart. Prince Bai Long turned into a young man and said to his head, "I am Prince Bai Long. I want this girl. You have to give it to me, or I will continue to let you suffer disaster." After hearing this, the villagers were worried. Finally, the smart Ah Hei came up with a way to smear the faces of all the men and women in the village with pot smoke. The fire was raging and the torch was lit. On the day when Ah Hei Ara got married, Prince White Dragon came to the village and saw that all the girls had turned black faces. He could not find the beautiful Ah Nai. The blazing fire burned the eyes of White Dragon back. He couldn't stand it, yi's Ahei defeated evil with intelligence and wisdom. Therefore, every year from January to February 2, when the dragon is sacrificed, everyone starts to smear each other's faces. The darker you smear, the deeper your love will be, which indicates that you will be happier and healthier in the coming year.

Sheepskin drum dance is a traditional folk sacrificial dance that imitates the movements of monkeys. It aims to exorcise evil and keep the family safe. The dance is limited to male performances, ranging from 6. to seven people to more than a dozen or dozens of people. During the performance, one person led the dance with a horn in his hand, the second beat the parchment drum, the third played the big gong, and the rest dressed up as monkeys with leaves and brown leaves, and then danced around the coffin with their bare hands. The sheepskin drum movement consists of several parts, such as "road money", "eating fried beans", "baking fire", "making baba" and "magpie walking. The characteristic of the "road money" action is to clear the way for the deceased and throw away the gesture of "buying road money". "Warm fire" is the action of warming the fire with both hands, giving warmth. "Around the flower" is the meaning of simulating the monkey's posture to surround the coffin and mourn the dead. "Eating fried beans" is to let the dead eat their stomachs and hit the road. Magpies learned that the deceased were separated from their families, then mournfully and the monkey together to see him off. Sheepskin drum dance is a reflection of the soul worship and ancestor worship of the Yi people, and a reproduction of the ancient life of the Yi people.