Bai Niu – Inheritor of Xianzi-playing Skill in Deqin County, Diqing 

Bai Niu (白扭), male, of Tibetan ethnicity, was born in 1958 in Chalitong Village (查里桶村), Chalitop Group (查里顶小组), Yunling Township (云岭乡), Deqin County (德钦县), Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省). He is a renowned xianzi performer in the Yunling and Yanmen Township (燕门乡) areas. In 2002, he was recognized by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and the Ethnic Affairs Commission as a “Folk Music Master of Yunnan Province,” and designated as a representative inheritor of the second batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage items.

Growth and Learning Journey

From a young age, Bai Niu developed a deep passion for xianzi, often following elders to local dance gatherings where he learned to play. He eagerly sought advice from fellow performers and refined his skills through self-study and practice. In 1974, he was recruited to join the amateur performing arts team of Deqin County’s Cultural Center as a xianzi player. Through performances and exchanges with other counties, his technique further improved.

Artistic Achievements and Contributions

Masterful Skills

Bai Niu is not only skilled in xianzi playing, dance steps, melodies, and lyrics, but also excels in crafting the instruments themselves. His handmade xianzi are visually elegant and produce resonant sounds, much loved by Tibetan communities.

Cultural Transmission

Bai Niu actively teaches xianzi performance to local youth, encouraging participation in traditional dance events. He also serves as a xianzi instructor at Deqin County No.1 Primary School (德钦县第一小学), integrating the art into school programs and nurturing the next generation of practitioners.

Cultural Exchange

He frequently participates in xianzi-related events around the region, serves as a judge, and mentors young performers, promoting the spread and influence of xianzi culture.

Cultural Background of Xianzi

Tibetan xianzi in Deqin County (德钦县) is a type of communal circle dance with musical accompaniment, known in Tibetan as “Yi (仪),” meaning “a playful combination of singing and dancing.” The dance typically features men playing the xianzi (a type of fiddle), while women perform graceful sleeve dances. It is free-form and expressive, serving as a vital part of Tibetan daily life and festival celebrations.

Bai Niu, as a cultural inheritor of xianzi performance, not only excels artistically but also plays a pivotal role in the preservation and promotion of xianzi culture. He is a key figure representing the spirit of this tradition in Deqin.

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