Bi Fenglin – Inheritor of Sani Bimo Culture in Shilin County, Kunming
Early Life and Cultural Heritage
Bi Fenglin (毕凤林), born in 1921, is a prominent Yi ethnic figure from Beida Village, Shilin County, Kunming. As an heir to the Sani Bimo culture, Bi is deeply entrenched in the preservation of Yi traditions, especially Yi script, religious iconography, and the Bimo spiritual practices. He began learning Yi script at a young age from his father, and upon his father’s passing, he inherited a collection of Yi scripture and the tools to create “Bimo paintings” (毕问图). His education continued informally, studying on his own and refining his craft over decades.
Mastery of Yi Script and Bimo Art
By the mid-1970s, Bi Fenglin began working as a Bimo—a Yi shaman and spiritual leader—creating intricate Bimo paintings or Bimo charts, which are central to Yi culture. These paintings, also known as Bimo diagrams (毕摩图), feature twelve figures that represent various gods and spirits, with animals, tools, and daily life elements drawn in the background. Bimo paintings serve as spiritual symbols, worshipped to honor ancestors and natural gods in Yi communities.
The tradition of hanging Bimo paintings in homes to worship nature and ancestors is a common practice in Shilin County. Bi’s artwork is highly sought after, and he is the last surviving Bimo in the region with the ability to draw these sacred figures.
Contribution to Yi Culture and Education
Bi Fenglin’s role extends beyond artistry. As a Bimo, he plays a vital role in preserving the Yi people’s ancient rituals and traditions. Throughout his life, Bi has participated in Yi traditional festivals, particularly the Torch Festival, and has contributed to the cultural education of younger generations. His knowledge of Yi culture, script, and ceremonial practices is unparalleled.
Bi has worked tirelessly to document Yi traditions, including Yi literature, ancient texts, and oral traditions. He has personally collected and organized ancient Yi books and documents, contributing to their protection and preservation. His dedication to the Yi heritage has earned him recognition as a Representative Inheritor of Intangible Cultural Heritage in both Shilin County (2016) and Kunming City (2021).
Efforts in Promoting Social Harmony and Ethnic Unity
Bi Fenglin’s impact extends beyond cultural preservation to community leadership. His efforts in the village of Lao Wa (老挖村), a mixed Yi and Han community, have promoted social cohesion between the two ethnic groups. In the past, Han villagers did not participate in Yi traditional festivals, but with Bi’s guidance and encouragement, they began taking part in Yi celebrations, fostering a sense of unity and shared joy. Today, both Han and Yi people in Lao Wa celebrate both Yi and Han festivals together.
In his capacity as a mediator, Bi has resolved numerous community disputes, including family conflicts and land issues, using his wisdom and respect for traditional Yi customs. His work as a mediator has helped strengthen village harmony and ensure peaceful coexistence.
Contributions to Yi Culture Protection and National Development
Bi Fenglin has also been instrumental in preserving Yi culture by collaborating with the Shilin County Ethnic Affairs Bureau to document and protect Yi ancient texts and folk traditions. His efforts led to the publication of books such as Shilin Yi Literature Series and Yi Textbook, which are crucial resources for understanding Yi culture.
In 2021, Bi contributed to the Shilin Ethnic Ancient Books Database Project, a crucial initiative aimed at protecting Yi texts from extinction. He has collected over 100 books and transcribed more than 100,000 words, ensuring that Yi traditions continue to thrive for future generations.
Bi’s work extends beyond traditional cultural protection—he actively participates in rural governance, ensuring that cultural knowledge also informs local social policies. He helped facilitate a mediation model integrating Bimo practices and modern governance, a model that is now being studied as a potential template for other Yi communities.
Legacy and Commitment
Bi Fenglin remains deeply committed to the preservation of Yi culture, saying, “I have no regrets about this work. The cultural wealth left by our ancestors must be passed down. As long as there is a need, I will continue to work with all my strength to protect and transmit our cultural heritage.”
Bi’s lifelong dedication to Yi traditions, his role as a cultural mediator, and his contributions to social harmony and cultural education have made him a vital figure in the protection of Yi intangible cultural heritage.
