A Study of Lua Ethnic Group Legends in Ximeng District, Pu’er City, Yunnan Province, People’s Republic of China

Abstract

This study aims to select and translate legends of the Lua ethnic group in Ximeng District, Pu’er City, Yunnan Province, People’s Republic of China. The research method is the selection and translation of Lua legends in Si Gang Li. The study found that Si Gang Li comprises 26 chapters. The researcher found six legends: 1) the Creation of the World, the study found that Lua people worship MoWei as the supreme god, and 2) the Origin of Si Gang Li. The study found that Lua’s ancestors came from Si Gang Li Cave, which is considered Lua’s origin and grassroots; 3) the Flood, the study found that the Wa people experienced two floods.; 4) the Creation of houses, clothing, and agriculture. The study also found that the Dawa god distributed water to various ethnic groups and divided the work among his eight children, and the AnMuLuo god taught Lua people how to build houses; 5) the Worship of Ancestors, the study found that the AnMuGuai god worshipped his mother’s spirit and this originated the tradition of ancestor worship; and 6) the Wooden Drum, the study found that Lua people used MoWei drum as a tool to communicate with gods. All these six legends talk about the Lua people's background, culture, beliefs, tradition, and way of life.