Li Biqing – Representative Inheritor of Lisu “Achi Mugua” Project in Weixi County, Diqing 

Li Biqing (李碧清), born in August 1968 in Tongle Village (同乐村), Yezhi Town (叶枝镇), Weixi County (维西县), Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省), is a renowned Lisu (傈僳族) cultural figure and a leading performer and organizer of “Achimu Gua” (阿尺目刮). Under the personal guidance of the elder artist Heige (黑格), Li Biqing learned the traditional singing styles, lyrics, and various dance movements of “Achimu Gua” from a young age.
By the age of 21, he had become the lead dancer in his village’s “Achimu Gua” performances, attracting many young learners from surrounding villages. He has consistently taught the dance weekly in local primary schools and has also been invited to universities to give instruction to professional dance students.

Cultural Events

Li Biqing has led his team of farmer-performers to stages across the prefecture, province, and the entire country, showcasing the authentic Lisu folk dance “Achimu Gua” to diverse audiences. In 2012, as the lead dancer, he brought “Achimu Gua” to a national stage, performing in the grand opening of “Prosperous China” (盛世中华) at the National Minority Art Festival held in Beijing.

Intangible Cultural Heritage Recognition

In June 2010, Li Biqing was officially named a representative inheritor of Yunnan Province’s (云南省) intangible cultural heritage by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture. In May 2018, he was recognized as a representative inheritor of the fifth batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Projects.

Artistic Characteristics

Meaning and Origin

“Achimu Gua” (阿尺目刮) translates as “Dance and Song of the Goat” or “Song Imitating Goat Sounds.” It is a traditional self-entertainment folk performance of the Lisu people (傈僳族), primarily found in Tongle (同乐) and Xinle (新乐) villages in Yezhi Town (叶枝镇), Weixi County (维西县).

Music and Dance

This dance form uses no instruments; from start to finish, participants dance and sing in unison. The music is composed of lead and chorus singing, with lyrics rich in content—ranging from ancient myths to daily life and production themes.

Dance Movements

The movements and vocalizations imitate goats and scenes from nomadic life, marked by their strong primal and natural essence. The dance style is bold and unrestrained, with a unique character that retains the traditional form of grassroots folk art.

Through teaching apprentices, engaging in cultural performances, and fostering innovation, Li Biqing has successfully preserved and promoted the Lisu ethnic “Achimu Gua” (阿尺目刮), making significant contributions to the protection and development of this intangible cultural heritage.

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