The Belief World of the Yi People: Field Report on Religious Life of the Liangshan Yi People: Field Report on Religious Life of the Liangshan Yi People

Author: Ba Mo'ai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: It is likely that everyone can understand the meaning of "field," but "field research" commonly used in academia is not just a study of "fields" or "mountains and wilderness," but is instead rich in unique cultural connotations. As the renowned Taiwanese anthropologist Professor Li Yiyuan has pointed out: "Broadly speaking, any fieldwork can be called 'field research,' including social surveys, various questionnaire surveys, archaeological field excavations, and ethnological investigations and explorations." Therefore, what is referred to as "cultural field research" primarily refers to the environment in which humans produce and live, as well as the processes and outcomes of producing and living in such an environment. Culture is one of the important markers that define what it means to be human. In recent years, with the acceleration of globalization and modernization, the world has become a "global village," yet cultural barriers still persist. Thus, the diversity of cultures and the collisions and integration among different ethnic cultures have made the attention to culture, especially grassroots culture, cross-cultural survival, and cross-cultural thinking an increasingly important theme in contemporary society. Many scholars have long been committed to cultural-themed field research and hope to have the opportunity to express their cultural reflections and life insights from their fieldwork. Coincidentally, Guangxi People's Publishing House also shared the same publishing intentions. After communication and discussion, a series titled "Cultural Field Visual Series" was eventually published.
The "Cultural Field Visual Series" adopts the style of academic essays, conveying cultural insights from the field through a visually rich and engaging format. While emphasizing factual details and vivid narratives, it also prioritizes concise and fluent writing. In handling images, the series strives to use tangible design to express intangible language, seamlessly integrating visuals and text to achieve a perfect harmony between tradition and modernity. The series tells stories and shares experiences from field research, documenting the people and events encountered during the fieldwork. Its greatest strength lies in bringing the people and objects of the field to life, making the scenes and emotions vivid. Readers no longer hear only the personal monologue of the researcher but also the voices of the interviewees. They learn not just the results of the research but also witness the interactions and exchanges between the researchers and the subjects, gaining a wealth of cultural insights from the field and a strong emotional resonance. This allows readers to journey alongside the authors through the cultural fields.
Given the rich and diverse content, the series is divided into two main parts: "Domestic" and "Overseas." The domestic part is further subdivided into "Eastern" and "Western" sections, forming a cohesive structure with the "Cultural Field Visual Series: Western Field Series," "Cultural Field Visual Series: Eastern Field Series," and "Cultural Field Visual Series: Overseas Mirror Series."
With my feet as your eyes, with your heart as my heart, let us step into the field and feel the culture.
Located at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan, the Daxiangshan and Xiaoxiangshan regions are the largest (Yi ethnic group) inhabited areas in China. Here, the mountains stretch endlessly, and the gorges plunge deep, not only forming rugged natural landscapes but also nurturing a magnificent cultural panorama. The author, using a reflective narrative style with accompanying illustrations, recreates the spiritual beliefs and ritual scenes of the Yi people in Daxiangshan, showcasing their unique ritual scriptures and exquisite religious artifacts. It conveys the chanting of the shamans (Bimo) to summon souls and pray for blessings, as well as the drumming of the shamans (Sunis) to send away demons and heal illnesses. The book vividly records some interesting stories and profound feelings from the author's 16 years of long-term religious field research in their hometown.
"The Belief World of the Yi People" will present you with a unique world of belief belonging to a unique ethnic group.