Naxi Music

Naxi music is the musical heritage of the Naxi people of Lijiang in north-west Yunnan, China, internationally known through its 'ancient music' — the orchestral repertoires preserved by elderly musicians on period instruments. That heritage joins three bodies of music: Dongjing, the Han-derived ritual repertoire; Baisha Xiyue, a suite of song and dance music for weddings and funerals; and the now-lost Huangjing. Around this classical core sit Naxi-language folk songs, wedding laments and dance traditions such as remeicuo. The whole is prized in China as a 'living fossil' of early Chinese music.