The Chinese Identity in the Creation Mythology of the Yi People

JOURNAL OF ETHNOLOGY， VOL. 15， NO.03， 115-121， 2024 （CN51-1731/C， in Chinese）

DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1674-9391.2024.03.013

Abstract：

The study of mythology generally shows that beyond the veneer of fairy tales lies a profound exploration of humanity’s existential quandaries and its views on the natural world and even the existence of the universe. Similarly， records show the heroic epics and creation myths across various ethnic groups in China not only express their unique worldviews and cosmologies but also reflect the intricate tapestry of historical interactions， exchanges， and integration among these peoples， the Han， and other surrounding ethnic groups within China. Within the oral traditions prevalent in the ethnically diverse landscapes of southwestern China， findings suggest there are a large number of heroic epics， creation myths， village origin legends， and narrative poems all centered around the theme of “common ancestors”. These oral traditions appear to be community identities that arise spontaneously within ethnic minority communities and transcend mere blood ties and geographic boundaries.

Geographically situated amidst the rugged expanse of the Hengduan Mountains in western China， the Yi people have been coexisting harmoniously with the neighboring Tibetan， Qiang， and other ethnic peoples， fostering a dynamic milieu of cultural exchange and interaction. As a consequence， the creation myths of the Yi not only contain their ancestral memory but also the historical memory of the interaction between the Yi people and the surrounding ethnic groups such as the Tibetan， Qiang， and Han. The legend of the liuzu fenzhi （six ancestors divided into lineages） of the Yi people further reveals the ancestors’ different migratory trajectories， territorial expansion， and gradual ascent to prominence in the Southwest. Preceding this narrative， the Yi myth of the Great Flood also bears a strong resemblance to the creation myths of the Han people and other ethnic minorities inhabiting southwestern China.

In Yi mythology， there are many descriptions of geographical relationships. For example， an archetypal motif was that a god gave birth to many children， or that they were brothers when they landed on earth and they were named after the place of their descent. These legends can be interpreted as expressing a brotherhood between the Yi people and other neighboring ethnic groups. There is another myth， echoing a Han people’s folk tale， which is a story of the “descendants of the dragon”， reflecting the symbols of the totem cult shared by the Yi and Han. Moreover， the Yi and Han in Yunnan share a sacrificial rite tradition of paying homage “to heaven， earth， ruler， parents， and masters”. During these ceremonies， chicken blood is being dripped onto newly exchanged ancestral tablets to commemorate the Yi and Han’s common ancestor who was blessed by a chicken during a disaster. With such myths and rites， the fraternal sentiments between different ethnic groups have been strengthened in historical memory and arguably a good national emotional foundation has been laid for the integration and symbiosis of the multi-ethnic groups in Southwest China.

In the context of the new era， some mythological themes were brought to the big screen and adapted into theatrical performances. Finally， it can be concluded that by the constant “retelling” of myths， the Yi people have continually reshaped their relationships with other ethnic groups. This gives the old myths new vitality in the new era. The simple huaxia （Chinese） identity reflected in the creation myths of the Yi people will help to further deepen and consolidate the consciousness of the Chinese community.

Key Words：

creation myth of the Yi people; common ancestors; the huaxia （Chinese） identity; the consciousness of the Chinese community