Chen Yufa – Inheritor of Hani Folk Song and Dance in Yuanjiang County, Yuxi 

Chen Yufa (陈玉发) is a folk inheritor of Hani ethnic song and dance from Pugui Village (铺贵村), Yinyuan Town (因远镇), Yuanyang County (元江县), Yuxi City (玉溪市). He was born in 1952 and has loved Hani folk song and dance since childhood. At the age of 15, he became a disciple of the elder Chen Jiaobo (陈较波), systematically learning the Hani sacrificial dance. As a bearer of Hani culture, Chen Yufa not only mastered the traditional techniques of Hani song and dance, but also actively participated in efforts to preserve and promote them.

Characteristics of the Hani Palm Fan Dance

Origins and Cultural Significance

Ritual Origins:
The palm fan dance (棕扇舞) originated as part of the Hani funeral ritual called “Mo Cuocuo” (莫搓搓), intended to guide the soul of the deceased with the auspicious image of the silver pheasant bird.

Totem Worship:
It stems from ancient Hani totemic worship, with many dance movements imitating animal behaviors, such as “goat grazing,” “eagle catching chick,” and more.

Cultural Transmission:
The dance embodies Hani perspectives on history, ethics, values, and ways of thinking, preserving the cultural DNA of the Hani people.

Dance Movements and Style

Animal Imitation:
The choreography heavily imitates animal movements, including “bear washing its face,” “monkey bowing,” “monkey holding a melon,” and “eagle catching chick,” all vividly portrayed.

Movement Characteristics:
The dance features a dynamic yet grounded style: “steady on top, lively below; heavy but not loose; elevated but not floating; a balance of hardness and softness.” It has a rustic, vigorous, and humorous quality, often involving leg trembles, rising and falling stances, and swinging of both small and large arms.

Performance Forms:
There are solo, duet, and group formats. During performances, participants freely form circles — men on the inside, women on the outside. Elders dance first, followed by the younger generation.

Props and Accompaniment

Props:
Dancers hold palm leaves shaped like fans. Some performances also use a pair of bamboo tubes filled with rice, corn, buckwheat, silver chains, and copper coins, as well as several pine branches.

Accompaniment Instruments:
Instruments include mang (铓), drums (鼓), cymbals (钹), suona (唢呐), and sanxian (三弦), among others.

Inheritance and Evolution

Transmission Methods:
Passed down through master-apprentice and family traditions, often led by respected elders to younger generations.

Evolution:
Originally a funeral and sacrificial rite, the dance has evolved into a cultural tourism experience, blending ethnic customs with song and dance performances.

The Hani palm fan dance is not just a form of art—it reflects the Hani people’s remembrance of their ancestors, reverence for nature, and longing for a beautiful life.

Chen Yufa’s Efforts in Promoting Hani Culture

1. Master-Apprentice Training and Teaching Activities

Having studied Hani ritual dance under Chen Jiaobo (陈较波), Chen Yufa has passed on these skills to the younger generation through the traditional master-apprentice model. He not only teaches Hani song and dance locally but also participates in cultural programs, training new inheritors in multiple batches.

2. Participation in Cultural Performances and Promotion

Chen Yufa actively takes part in cultural performance events, showcasing traditional dances like the Hani palm fan dance to reveal the unique charm of Hani culture. These performances are not limited to local stages—they have reached wider audiences, helping more people appreciate Hani traditions.

3. Bringing Hani Culture into Schools and Communities

He promotes Hani culture in schools and communities by organizing lectures and dance workshops, allowing more people to learn about Hani cultural traditions. These efforts have strengthened local identity and inspired more young people to participate in cultural preservation.

4. Innovation Through Integration with Modern Culture

Chen Yufa experiments with integrating Hani culture into modern formats. By innovating the performance styles and content—such as incorporating modern music into traditional songs and dances—he brings new life and relevance to Hani heritage.

5. Participation in International Cultural Exchanges

Chen Yufa also engages in international cultural exchanges, bringing Hani culture to the global stage. Through collaborations and dialogues with international friends, he not only promotes Hani traditions worldwide but also brings back advanced ideas on cultural preservation and transmission.

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