Introduction

According to the sixth census of China in 2010, the total population of the Wa people is 429,709. They are mainly distributed in Ximeng, Cangyuan and Menglian counties of Yunnan Province and the mountainous areas nearby. The Wa people is an ancient ethnic group in the Southwest ofYunnan Province in China. They began to explore the Lantsang River area as early as 2000 years ago and have dwelt in here for generations. The area is known as Ava Mountain since it abounds with hills and mountains but lacks flat land. The Wa people speak the Wa language which consists ofthree dialects. This ethnic group did not have written language In 1957, the Wa characters in the form ofLatin letters were designed and created and then were gradually spread among the Wa people.

Universally speaking, the belief of the Wa is characterized by primitive religions. The Wa people believe in animism and the view that souls are immortal. In the belief system of the Wa, all things and phenomena in nature are dominated by a mysterious supernatural power. The “Muyiji” god^[16], the omnipotent god of the Wa People, is in charge of such power. The Wa people frequently hold religious activities to show their piety.

The Wa people practice monogamy. The family is the basic unit for social production and consumption. Respecting and taking care ofthe aged is a virtue for the Wa. It is worth mentioning that the simplicity of cemeteries in the Wa villages is, perhaps, an exemplar for the peoples in the world. Because in the traditional funerals, the Wa people do not dig any grave, place any gravestone, sweep tombs or hold sacrificial activities.

The Wa people created their own simple calendar, in which one year consists of 12 months. The first month is marked by a certain natural phenomenon. They arrange productive,religious and other activities in accordance with the climate and other conditions of every month. In addition, the folk oral literature of the Wa is unique. The content of the literature includes myths, legends, stories, fairy tales, fables, proverbs and the like, through which the Wa people show us their aesthetic perception, moral concept, religious beliefand customs.