Slideshows Yunnan · Dali
Jianchuan County 剑川县

Azhali Candle Dance 阿吒力密教的灯舞

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Followers of Jianchuan Azhali Buddhism perform a candle dance in Shaxi.

Jianchuan Bai Folk Toys
剑川县白族民间儿童玩具

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Diannan 滇南 has a long tradition of making children's toys. They have been recognized as part of Yunnan's Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Shibaoshan Singing Festival 2020
2020年石宝山歌会

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With the official programme curtailed, it is the unorganized folk part of the annual Singing Festival in Shibaoshan that continues to thrive.

Mijing Folk Play
弥井民剧

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Comical folk plays in the countryside, such as here in Jianchuan's Mijing village, often focus on agricultural themes, such as the stubborn draft animal.

The Suona Player
唢呐演奏者

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The suona 唢呐 is an important instrument in Chinese ritual and folk music. Here a Bai gentleman plays it as part of Azhali Buddhist rituals in the 催君寺 temple near Jianchuan 剑川.

Azhali Flower Dance
阿吒力花舞

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Magic dances are part Azhali rituals: here it is the Flower Dance as part of the 太子会 in Jianchuan.

Shibaoshan Opening Ceremony
石宝山开幕式

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Pictures from the Opening Ceremony of the 2019 Shibaoshan Songfest.

Xingjiao Temple Paintings
兴教寺壁画

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Shaxi's Xingjiao Temple is one of the oldest temples surviving in Yunnan, constructed in 1415 during the Ming dynasty. Particularly remarkable are the wall paintings under the eves.

Bai Benzhu Altars
白族本主神龛

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In the remote mountain regions of Jianchuan and Yunlong county the temples are often very simple with the local Benzhu belief displaying an element of animism.

2009 Bai Dress
2009年白族服装

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In 2009, at the Shibaoshan Singing Festival, traditional dress in the Dali was more prevalent than it is today, and the dress was often still hand-made, rather than shop-bought.

Li Baomei
李宝妹

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Bai folk music star Li Baomei 李宝妹 and the Shibaoshan Bai Folk Music Art Troupe perform in her home village Shilong 石龙村.

Buddhist Portraits
佛教徒之肖像

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Chinese Buddhists parade through the street on occasion of the Prince Festival 太子会.
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