Mupamipa -Creation Myths of the Lahu Ethnic Minority
The Origin
Mupamipa -Creation Myths(牡帕密帕) is a long epic of creation, was spread in Langcang Lahu Autonomous County of Simao City. Mupamipa -Creation Myths was formed in the long ancient society of the Lahu Ethnic Minority . During the long-term hunting, gathering and migration, the Lahu nationality created the belief of animism, and myths and legends including the birth of Esha, the creation of heaven and earth, the creation of sun and moon, the origin of species, and the origin of race emerged.
The Story of The Myths
Mupamipa -Creation Myths tells the story of the Lahu people’s pioneering work. It records the creation of heaven and earth, creation of all things, reproduction of human beings, manufacturing tools, development of production and distribution system. The poem contains 17 or 19 chapters, including the birth of Esha(厄莎), the creation of heaven and earth, the creation of sun, moon and stars, the creation of mountains, rivers and lakes, the creation of all things, the breeding of gourds, the marriage and reproduction of brothers and sisters (Zadinadi(扎迪娜迪), the ancestor of Lahu Nationality), the first generation, the formation of nationalities, the separation of brothers and sisters, the discovery of fires, the building of farm implements, and the building of houses. Agricultural production, Spring Festival, cotton planting, medicine, kinship and so on.
Performing Form
Lahu people’s “broad and broad” is a folk singing form of narrating ancient times. It is mainly sung by the singer “Gamuke”(波阔嘎阔), accompanied by Chorus and rotation, usually during traditional festivals or religious ceremonies. The melody is simple, there is only one mode, the melody is popular and fluent, the lyrics are fixed, the duality sentences are predominant and easy to be spoken and sung. The singing activity of Mupamipa -Creation Myths is rooted in the folk. The singing method is simple. People surround the fire pond, drink and listen to songs, and stay up all night.
Inheritance and Documentation
Now, with more than 2,300 lines of poetry, it takes about three days and three nights to finish. The repertoire is rich in mythology and imagination, which can be called the Encyclopedia of Lahu nationality’s history and culture. However, due to the impact of modern culture, there are fewer singing activities and few successors. There are only 2 to 3 artists in Datangzi Village(大塘子村), Zhutang Township, Lancang County(澜沧县), and Banshan Village(半山村), Fubang Township(富邦乡), who can complete the performance of Mupa Mipa is the oldest one nearly 80 years old. At present, after collecting and sorting out, has published “Mupa Mipa”, “Mupa Mipa Guge Canaceae”, “Mupa Mipa” and other books, “Mupa Mipa” all the arias have been included in “Lahu Folk Literature Integration”.
Chinese Version: http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-11110-1230.html
Translated by Winnie/张赢
