Lan Xin (Lan Xin)
World Memory Heritage The Only Female Inheritor of Dongba Culture, International Renowned Writer & Poet. Internationally Renowned Chinese-English Bilingual Writer, The Only Female Inheritor of the World Memory Heritage Dongba Culture, Dean of China Yulong Wenbi Dongba Culture Academy.
Eva Lianou Petropoulou
Αποκλειστικη Eκπροσωπος για την Ελλάδα για την προώθηση της πολιτιστικής κληρονομιάς
Dongba Culture Κίνα
Michael Goniotakis
Media partner Polisfreepress
Αποκλειστικός εκπρόσωπος τύπου για την προώθηση της πολιτιστικής κληρονομιάς
Dongba Culture China
This article is an exclusive first-published manuscript authorized by internationally renowned Chinese writer Lan Xin for Greece’s Polis magazine, marking the second installment of her column “Lan Xin Deciphers Dongba Culture”.
Dongba Culture derives its name from the “Dongba”—the clergy of the Naxi people who serve as its core inheritors. This precious cultural heritage has been passed down through Dongba families by hereditary succession for thousands of years. It owes its complete preservation and intergenerational continuity to the Dongbas, who recorded scriptures in hieroglyphs and imparted knowledge orally through sacred rituals.
Translated as “wise ones”, the Dongbas are the most esteemed intellectuals in Naxi society, excelling in a wide array of disciplines including singing, dancing, scripture recitation, calligraphy, history, painting and medicine. Regarded as intermediaries bridging heaven and earth, they shoulder a sacred mission: conveying great love and profound humanistic care through solemn rituals.
Furthermore, they are enlightened beings who embody the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature, capable of comprehending the mysteries of natural cycles and celestial movements, as well as the way to live in harmony with all living things. They hold the mysterious cosmic codes handed down from ancient times, inheriting wisdom akin to universal truths across generations. Though their teachings were once “secretly transmitted” via Dongba scriptures, these wisdom traditions have subtly shaped people’s minds and perceptions with their universal values.
The inheritance system of Dongba Culture is particularly distinctive. Centered on Dongba priests, it follows the ancient rule of “hereditary succession combined with divine selection”. A qualified Dongba must be proficient in scriptures, calligraphy, painting, medicine, dance, divination and ritual hosting, acting as both the wise ones and spiritual leaders of Naxi society.
For instance, my Dongba master—Mr. Aheng Dongta, the 17th-generation Dongba inheritor, Dean of the Yulong Wenbi Dongba Culture Academy and UNESCO Dongba Culture Mentor—is a representative inheritor of Dongba Culture under the “hereditary succession combined with divine selection” system.
In the days to come, I will continue to share the universal wisdom of Dongba Culture with Greek readers through this column. In the next issue, I will present The Current Development Status of Dongba Culture.
