Milagahei
01 · Historical Records
Mila Gahai, in the Dongxiang language transliteration, mila meaning small and gahai meaning elder brother, is the most famous folk long poem of the Dongxiang people, produced about the Ming dynasty and handed down orally among the Dongxiang for more than five hundred years. Eighteen years later Mila Gahai returned home and, seeing his betrothed oppressed by bandits, defeated them and lived happily with Mazhilu.
02 · Core Techniques & Process
The long poem tells of a young hunter named Mila Gahai who, on the eve of his marriage, parts from his beloved betrothed Mazhilu and resolutely goes to the front to defend home and country. The poem, more than five hundred lines long and capable of being told or sung, reflects the indomitable spirit of struggle of the Dongxiang people and their fine ideal of yearning for peace and the pursuit of a free and happy life. As an oral history textbook reflecting the root genealogy of the Dongxiang, Mila Gahai also fully displays the plain and concise beauty of Dongxiang folk literature and folk language, with strong artistic charm. Mila Gahai occupies an important place in the cultural history of the Dongxiang and also a place in the literary history of China's minority peoples. The poem is complete in narrative and vivid in image and occupies an important place in Dongxiang cultural history and in the literary history of China's minority peoples.
The Episode of Parting for the Front
The episode in which Mila Gahai parts from his betrothed to defend home and country.
The Episode of Defeating the Bandits
The episode in which Mila Gahai returns, defeats the bandits and is reunited with Mazhilu.
The Dongxiang-Language Performance
The form of Mila Gahai, capable of being told or sung and performed in the Dongxiang language.
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
Mila Gahai is the most famous folk long poem of the Dongxiang people, circulating with the Dongxiang Autonomous County as its centre through the Dongxiang-concentrated areas; capable of being told or sung, it is mostly sung at weddings, festivals and farm slack seasons, handed down by word of mouth from generation to generation.
04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
Today the old artists who chant Mila Gahai are fewer and fewer and it urgently needs protection. As an oral history textbook reflecting the root genealogy of the Dongxiang, Mila Gahai also fully displays the plain and concise beauty of Dongxiang folk literature and folk language.
05 · Associated Representative Bearers
Representative bearers recorded under this item, organized by national nomination batch:
- Ma Hucheng 03-0795
06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography
Sources
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)
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