Cuotaiji of Yi Nationality

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: cuotaiji of Yi Nationality

Applicant: Weining Yi Hui Miao Autonomous County, Guizhou Province

Item No.: 229

Project No.: Ⅳ - 85

Time of publication: 2006 (the first batch)

Category: Traditional Drama

Region:

Type: new item

Applicant: Weining Yi Hui Miao Autonomous County, Guizhou Province

Protected by: cultural center of Weining Yi Hui Miao Autonomous County

Introduction to cuotaiji of Yi Nationality

Applicant: Weining Yi Hui Miao Autonomous County, Guizhou Province

Cuotaiji is an ancient form of drama which only exists in nuda village, Bandi Township, Weining Yi Hui Miao Autonomous County, Guizhou Province. CuO Taiji is translated into Yi language, which means "bianren opera". The origin of this form of drama has not been determined, and there is no record in Yi literature.

CuO Taiji usually performs from the third to the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, aiming at driving away evil spirits, welcoming good luck and praying for a good harvest. The form of performance is very unique. The performers use white handkerchief to wrap their heads into sharp cones, and their bodies and limbs are tightly wrapped with cloth to symbolize nudity. Some of their heads are masked as Yi elderly (1700 years old), old women (1500 years old), Miao elderly (1200 years old), Han elderly (1000 years old) and children. The mask is usually about one foot long, with a prominent forehead and a straight nose. Holes are dug out in the eyes and mouth. The mask is painted black with pot smoke, and various lines are drawn on the forehead and face with lime and chalk. The mask is black and white, which is very rough, mysterious, solemn and simple. In the performance, those who do not wear masks are mountain forest elders or mountain gods (2000 years old), who are the embodiment of nature and wisdom. The performance of CuO Taiji is mainly divided into four parts: sacrifice, cultivation, festivity and village sweeping. Cultivation is the core of the whole opera, which mainly reflects the history of Yi People's migration, farming and reproduction. On the 15th of the first month, the "Mars sweeping" activity pushed the whole performance of cuotaiji to a climax. The performers went from village to village to sweep away disasters and pestilence. They wished people and animals prosperity and grain harvest. When they arrived at each house, they would sit by the fire pool and read a auspicious message. They would ask the host for eggs and hemp. When they left, they would pull a handful of grass from the four corners of the firewood house. Then he came to the intersection of Zhaibian, buried three eggs in the soil, lit the thatch, cooked the rest of the eggs and ate them separately,

I read "Mars is gone, Mars is gone".

Because of the function of folk belief and ancestor worship, cuotaiji has become an important way for local people to worship their ancestors and pray for the prosperity of people and animals and good weather. It is deeply rooted in the production, life and cultural history of Yi people. This kind of primitive art has the research value of drama genesis and art morphology. The performance activities related to production and life also have important reference value for Anthropology and ethnology. Because of its spread in a remote area, it has been continued and less affected by the outside world. However, under the impact of modern civilization, this kind of art, which is only mastered and inherited by a few people, is very fragile. If there is any problem in any link, it will suffer a fatal blow. Therefore, it is necessary to do a good job in relevant protection.