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WORLD ANTHROPOLOGICAL UNION

CONGRESS 2024​

Workshop

"The Diversification of Yi Theater and Its Ethnographic Validation: Poetry and Beyond of an Ancient Millennia-Old Ethnic Group"

convenors

    Yan Zhang

    Nationality: China

    Residence: China

    Presence:Face to Face/ On Site

    WENJIE QIU

    Presence:Face to Face/ On Site

    Ivy Zhang

    Nationality: US A

    Residence: US A

    Presence:Face to Face/ On Site

Keywords:

Verifying History Through Traces of Ancient Culture

Abstract:

This workshop will focus on introducing the Yi culture from China. Using a multi-spatial theatrical format, participants and actors will collaboratively explore the ancient history of the Yi people through theatrical performances. We draw inspiration from five basic forms of ancient Yi theater: the mysterious Sanxingdui mask heritage (circa 2800 BCE) and Guizhou mask dance Cuotaiji (202 BCE-220 CE), the solemn Tang Dynasty Feng Sheng Music (circa 800 CE), the graceful Cai Dance, the lively Tiaogeduo Dance, and the vibrant Duoluohe Torch Festival drama, showcasing the diversity and complexity of Yi culture. Notably, the performers come from the remote mountains of mysterious China. They are not professional artists; they are farmers and, uniquely, dedicated reciters known as De’gu. Yes, you understood correctly—the Yi people have specialized reciters. The workshop will be narrated in English by anthropologist Dr. Wu Xia, while Yi actors perform with various ancient instruments. Accompanied by the nose flute and the mouth harp, the De’gu will recite the epic "Le O’tyi," recounting the Yi's astronomical and cosmological knowledge from thousands of years ago...... The stage design for the workshop is inspired by the Zhaotong murals from the Han Dynasty and the Nanzhao paintings from the Tang Dynasty. The workshop aims to provide participants of the anthropological conference with a deeper understanding of Yi culture while also addressing some of the 22 themes proposed by the conference. Additionally, we strive to offer WCAA, IUAES, and WAU a novel philosophical space and perspective for discussing, understanding, critiquing, and debating anthropological knowledge.