Performers You Mingfang (right) and Lu Yanhua (above) devote themselves to the preservation of Yimakan. [Photo by Xie Jianfei/For China Daily]

The art of Yimakan is seeing a resurgence as practitioners work to safeguard a unique oral tradition that weaves together storytelling, myth and identity, Chen Nan reports.

In northeastern China, where the Heilong and Songhua rivers converge, lies Tongjiang, the birthplace and cultural heartland of the Hezhe, one of the smallest ethnic groups in the country with a population of just over 5,000.

Tongjiang, a small yet historically significant city, is home to nearly one-third of the Hezhe population, with 1,643 Hezhe people residing there, according to the Tongjiang government website.

For centuries, this region has been a sanctuary for the preservation, accumulation and transmission of Hezhe culture.

Performers You Mingfang (right) and Lu Yanhua (above) devote themselves to the preservation of Yimakan. [Photo by Xie Jianfei/For China Daily]

The Hezhe are a proud ethnic group with a rich heritage rooted in fishing and hunting. Their unique culture includes mystical shamanistic dances, the haunting sounds of the jaw harp, and perhaps most notably, the traditional oral performance art of Yimakan storytelling.

In May 2016, President Xi Jinping visited Bacha village in Tongjiang. He toured a Hezhe ethnic folk exhibition and watched a performance of Yimakan storytelling. Xi praised the Hezhe people for their long history and rich culture, especially their exceptional fishing and hunting skills, elaborate arts, and the melodious charm of their Yimakan storytelling.

Wu Baochen (center), an inheritor of Yimakan, leads a performance in Jiamusi, Heilongjiang province, on Aug 11. [Photo by Zhang Tao/Xinhua]

Inscribed in 2011 on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding by UNESCO, Yimakan storytelling is an oral art in the form of singing and speaking that has been transmitted from generation to generation by the Hezhe people, who speak a language without a written form. It serves not only as a historical record of the Hezhe's past but also as a living testament to their spirit and values.

"Yimakan performers improvise stories without instrumental accompaniment, alternating between singing and speaking, and make use of different melodies to represent different characters and plots. They usually train in a master-apprentice relationship within their own clans and families, although today, outsiders are increasingly accepted for apprenticeship," the UNESCO website states.

Yimakan was also included in the list of national-level intangible cultural heritage representative items in 2006.

Yimakan performances are deeply rooted in the Hezhe people's traditional fishing and hunting lifestyle. [Photo by Xu Congjun/For China Daily]

Dedicated inheritor

In recent years, Hezhe inheritors have taken up the mission of preserving Yimakan, breathing new life into this ancient art form. One such person is You Mingfang, a 60-year-old woman who is part of the ongoing effort to safeguard and pass on the tradition of Yimakan.

A seasoned performer and educator, You is one of the few Hezhe artists who teach and perform Yimakan, ensuring its survival for future generations.

Born and raised in Tongjiang, You was immersed in Hezhe culture from a young age. Her childhood was filled with the sounds of her elders speaking Hezhe, a language that, despite the challenges of modern times, has always been a cornerstone of her family life.

"I grew up learning the Hezhe language with my father. When I was little, my father would lie in bed with us, and we practiced speaking it together," she recalls.

The art of Yimakan was passed down to her through oral tradition, deeply ingrained in the everyday life of the community.

Wu Baochen (center) is one of the celebrated performers of Yimakan. [Photo by Xu Congjun/For China Daily]

"I never formally learned Yimakan until much later, but I remember hearing it during family gatherings, especially when we sat together during long winter nights," she says, reflecting on how these experiences shaped her understanding of this art form.

Yimakan is known for its ability to weave together storytelling and song, creating a rhythm that feels both intimate and powerful. At first, You didn't understand what the art form truly was, but over time she learned that it encapsulates everything from myths and legends to the stories of love, war and daily life.

"I grew particularly fond of the myths, which have such a magical quality to them," she says.

In recent years, You has dedicated herself to performing and teaching Yimakan to younger generations. Through her efforts, she has helped revitalize the art form, incorporating elements that appeal to modern audiences while maintaining its core traditions.

The importance of Yimakan has not gone unnoticed by scholars. Hou Ru, an associate researcher at the Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, began her academic journey with a focus on the Hezhe people in 2012.

Schoolchildren learn the art form. [Photo by Xu Congjun/For China Daily]

"When I first started my research, I was drawn to Yimakan because of its unique value and the pressing need for its protection," she says.

Over the years, Hou has worked tirelessly to document and safeguard the stories, songs and performances that constitute Yimakan, realizing the importance of preserving it for future generations.

"Yimakan is not just an art form; it's a living history of the Hezhe people," she says."

It reflects their society, religion, historical struggles and way of life. Through Yimakan, we can see their connection to nature, to their ancestors and to each other."

Hou's work also involves documenting and protecting the Hezhe language, which plays a central role in the performance of Yimakan.

Without a standardized written script, preserving the language is as vital as safeguarding the art form it supports.

"Yimakan and the Hezhe language are inseparable," Hou says.

"Without the language, the songs and stories lose their meaning."

You Tingting teaches a boy the Hezhe language. [Photo by Xu Congjun/For China Daily]

New vitality

The resurgence in the Yimakan tradition has been aided by several initiatives in recent years. The local community in Tongjiang, particularly through You and others, has worked to engage younger generations with the art. Schools and community centers now offer classes in the Hezhe language and the performance of Yimakan, fostering a new generation of performers.

"The younger generation is beginning to show interest in Yimakan," You says.

"They're no longer just passive listeners. They want to learn and perform it themselves, which is incredibly encouraging."

New forms of media, including online platforms and digital archives, have also helped Yimakan become more accessible to a broader audience."

We use digital technology, including social media and online streaming, to share performances and lessons with people who might not otherwise have access to this cultural treasure," Hou says.

Moreover, the integration of Yimakan into local tourism and cultural events has brought it to the attention of both locals and tourists.

"By incorporating Yimakan into cultural festivals, performances and even tourism activities, we are making it a living part of our community's identity," You says.

You Tingting is dressed in a traditional costume of the Hezhe ethnic group. [Photo by Xu Congjun/For China Daily]

"I want it to be something that feels alive, something that people can experience and relate to."

As with many oral traditions, the future of Yimakan depends on the balance between preservation and innovation. "It's important to respect the core elements of the art form, but we can also incorporate new ideas and formats to keep it relevant," You says.

"The goal is not just to preserve it but to ensure that it continues to thrive."

For You, the next step is passing on her knowledge to the next generation. "I'm teaching my grandchildren to sing and perform Yimakan. They are the future of this tradition," she says.

Hezhe people celebrate their traditional culture with song and dance at a festival in Fuyuan, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang province. [Photo by Zhang Tao/Xinhua]

You Tingting, 43, an inheritor of the Hezhe ethnic culture, shares this passion and commitment to preserving her people's heritage. She was surrounded by the Hezhe language and Yimakan from a young age. She could only speak a few words of the language when she was little, but now she can perform long segments of Yimakan.

She is also a pioneer in efforts to preserve and spread the Hezhe language. She created a Hezhe-language group chat and, since 2015, has been teaching people Hezhe words in that group. For her, this initiative is not just about teaching; it's also about learning together.

"Through this platform, I hope to inspire more young people to learn. I'm a member of the Hezhe ethnic group and I love my culture deeply. Although our population is small and fewer people spoke the Hezhe language in the past, the government has recently placed a strong emphasis on the preservation and development of ethnic groups' cultures," says You Tingting.