Who Are the Yi People?
The Yi (Nuosu in their own language) are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group of approximately 9 million people inhabiting the mountainous regions of southwestern China—primarily Sichuan's Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi provinces. The Yi maintained remarkable independence until the 1950s, with some areas practicing a hierarchical caste system including slavery. They possess an ancient syllabic script, rich oral literature, and distinctive fire-centered spiritual practices. The Torch Festival, their most famous celebration, draws massive crowds and international attention.
The Yi Script
The Yi syllabary (Nuosu script) is one of China's few indigenous writing systems, with origins possibly 500-1,000 years old. It contains over 8,000 characters representing syllables rather than meaning—a true syllabary unlike Chinese logography. The script was used by bimo (ritual specialists) for religious texts, genealogies, and historical records. After 1949, a standardized 819-character version was developed for modern use. Yi script appears on road signs in Liangshan and is taught in schools, representing a living indigenous literacy tradition.
Caste and Slavery
Traditional Yi society, particularly in Liangshan's remote mountains, maintained a rigid caste system until Communist reforms in the 1950s. The nuoho (Black Yi) aristocracy ruled over quho (White Yi) commoners and several classes of slaves. Slavery was hereditary; slaves could be bought, sold, and killed by owners. The isolation of mountain regions preserved this system centuries after slavery ended elsewhere. Communist liberation campaigns abolished slavery but also suppressed Yi culture broadly. This complex history remains sensitive in discussions of Yi tradition.
The Torch Festival
The Torch Festival (Duktsihssi) is the Yi's most spectacular celebration, held around the 24th or 25th of the sixth lunar month (usually July/August). For three days, communities light massive torches, parade through villages and fields, and hold bonfires believed to ward off pests and evil spirits. Wrestling, bullfighting, horse racing, and beauty pageants accompany the flames. The festival has become a major tourist event while retaining religious significance. Fire pervades Yi culture—birth and death rituals, illness treatment, and agricultural ceremonies all involve flames.
Contemporary Challenges
Liangshan remains one of China's poorest regions despite development campaigns. HIV/AIDS epidemics, linked to drug trafficking routes through the region, have devastated some communities. Poverty alleviation programs have improved infrastructure but also accelerated cultural change. Education in Mandarin prepares youth for economic opportunities but distances them from Yi language and customs. The tension between development and cultural preservation defines contemporary Yi experience, as traditional mountain life gives way to market integration and urbanization.
References
- Harrell, S. (2001). Ways of Being Ethnic in Southwest China
- Hill, A. (2001). Nuosu Yi Slaves and Slavery
- Bradley, D. (2001). Language Policy for the Yi