The Naxi People

Naxi live in the Lijiang Naxi Autonomous County, Yunnan Province and in Weixi, Zhongdian, Ninglang, Deqin, Yongsheng, Heqing, Jianchuan and Lanping counties, Yunnan Province. Cold and mountainous, temperate and tropical, with rain and rivers, their lands are complex and endowed with rich reserves of gold, silver, copper, aluminum, and manganese. Naxi speak a language from the Chinese-Tibetan language family. As of 1,000 years ago, they had pictographic characters, the "Dongba" script, and syllabic writing, the "Geba" script. That script itself could not be preserved, but since 1980 the Dongba Cultural Research Institute and ten old Naxi Shamans have worked on the translation of 1,000 written works into Chinese. In 1957, the Chinese government helped the Naxi design an alphabetical script.

Naxi descend from the Di and Qiang tribes--records of Naxi ancestors are found in 1,900 books such as Records of the Historian. The Naxi, who lived in Lijiang, Yunnan Province, were subject to the Ming Dynasty yet maintained some autonomy through a hereditary chieftain named Mude who exercised control over the Naxi and other minorities in Lijiang. Hereditary chieftains sent tax and tribute to the Ming court; the Ming court relied on the chieftains to maintain control over the minorities. During the Qing Dynasty, court officials replaced hereditary chieftains.

The Naxi are matriarchal. In the past, children lived with their mothers, a woman was head of the family, women comprised the main labor force and property was passed to children through the mother. "Mother is the tree root and man is the leaf," says one of their songs. Women wear wide-sleeved loose gowns, with jackets, long trousers, and ornamented belts. The Naxi are diligent and, because of their diligence, many women sling sheepskin embroidered with seven stars over their shoulders. Men dress similarly to the Han people.

On the 25th day of the seventh lunar month, the Naxi gather at the foot of Lion Mountain to celebrate and ask the gods for blessings. On this day, according to a Naxi myth, the mountain gods visit the mountain goddess of Lion Mountain. The mountain had at one point been a beautiful goddess whom all the gods loved but who loved no god. She only shared intimate friendship, azhu, with them. Naxi also celebrate the Farm-Tool Fair, the God of the Rain Festival, the Mule and Horse Fair, the Lunar New Year, the Pure Brightness Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Torch Festival. Naxi sing and dance to short and descriptive songs that are sung in a high pitch and with strong rhythms. Flutes, reed pipes and windstring instruments accompany them. Their music descends from the Tang and Song palace and ritual music.

Naxi practice the Dongba religion, an unorganized, pantheistic religion with preachers named Dongba meaning "Wise Men." Dongba practice witchcraft, medicine and promote education, art and craftsmanship. They work regular jobs, preside over ceremonies, recite scriptures, expel evil spirits and pray for a good harvest. Only a few Dongba remain, and the religion is nearly extinct.

The Naxi church is all but extinct. However, it had an excellent beginning:

About 80 years ago, the first missionaries made their way across Yunnan province to the Lijiang area. When they arrived they used a fairly strange method in reaching the Naxi, but found it quite successful. They had great news--that God had sent them so that He could give the people candy ("candy from God"). After spreading this news, the missionaries then invited them to a meeting to give out the candy which God had promised them. At the meeting, the missionaries gave out the promised candy and then preached the gospel. Amazingly, many Naxi came to the Lord and a strong Church was planted.

In 1993 there was a movement to Christ among the Naxi, but it is not known if a church was planted.

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