The Ballad of Lisu

Lushui County, Nujiang Lisu Ethnic Minority Autonomous Prefecture,Yunnan Province

The Ballad of the Lisu Ethnic Minority Group is a kind of folk songs that orally records almost every part of the Lisu people's lives.

"Mugua", the first and most basic genre of the Ballad of Lisu, used to indicate the whole ballad in the Lisu dialect. Now it refers to the ancient-styled narrative songs that are solemnly sung on important festivals and assemblies. Two groups of men, one of whom plays the female role, sing to each other. There is usually a lead singer, and others accompany him while drinking alcohol to cheer the singers up. It can last several days, through both day and night. The themes include sex and birth, customs, love stories and religion.

"Baishi" is the second genre of the ballad that is usually sung at joyful events such as harvest ceremonies and weddings. Love is one of the most popular themes. In Lushui County, where the Lisu live, the annual Thermal Spring Festival in January on the lunar calendar is also the song fair where young people sing for the hearts of their lovers.

The final genre of the Ballad of Lisu -- the "Youye" - can be divided into two types according to different occasions. One type of Youye is sung to a slow and steady rhythm and is about difficult times. The other is a love song for young people.