Mupamipa

Name of Chinese national intangible cultural heritage: mupamipa

Applicant: Simao City, Yunnan Province

Item No.: 4

Project No.: I-4

Time of publication: 2006 (the first batch)

Category: Folk Literature

Region: Yunnan Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Simao City, Yunnan Province

Protected by: cultural center of Lancang Lahu Autonomous County

Introduction to mupamipa:

Applicant: Simao City, Yunnan Province

Mupamipa is a long poetic creation myth sung by Lahu people "bokuogakuo", which is spread in Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, Simao City, Yunnan Province. The poem consists of 17 chapters and 2300 lines, which describes the creation of heaven, earth, sun and moon, creation of all things and human beings, as well as the living conditions of human beings in the initial stage. It is a fine oral literature with a long history of Lahu people.

Mupamipa is mainly sung by "gamuko" (the singer) and "MoBa" (the host of religious activities), and can also be accompanied or rotated by many people. The lyrics are simple and popular, the rhythm is fixed, and most of them are antithetical sentences. The melody is beautiful and pleasant, and the mode varies with different regions. The singing is characterized by words and lines, and rap. Mupamipa rap in Lahu traditional festivals, religious activities or during leisure time. The singers are full of sound and emotion, and the listeners are infatuated with it. Rap often lasts all night, and the participants are full of interest.

Mupamipa is an indispensable precious material for the study of Lahu history and culture, a carrier of Lahu culture, and a link to maintain the spiritual life of Lahu people. However, due to the impact of modern culture, this creation myth is on the verge of being lost, and there is no successor. At present, only one or two people in Lancang Lahu Autonomous County can sing the song completely.