Introduction

According to the sixth census of China in 2010, the Derung in Yunnan has a total population of 6930. They are the least populated ethnic group in Yunnan Province as well as one of the least populated ethnic groups in China. The Derung people live on both sides ofthe Derung River in Gongshan County, Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture. They were called “Qiu people” or “Qu people” in history. The traditional lifestyle ofthe Derung people is characterized by the primitive system with family communes as the center, and there are more than 50 patriarchal clans among the Derung people. In each clan, under the guidance of the headman, all members engage in productions together and share possessions. The clansmen plough together; the daughters-in-law cook in turn and distribute the food equally to the family members. The relationship between the members is amicable, and the Derung people forge a society where the moral standard is high.

The Derung have no written language. It is believed that the Derung people and the Nu people are of the same origin and speak somewhat the same language, the Nu language.Most of the Derung houses in the same structure are made of wood or bamboo. There are more than two small fire pits in the house. The fire pits are either symmetrically placed on both sides ofa room or put at the four corners ofthe room. A fire pit is equivalent to a small family. The married progeny live near the fire pits with their parents in the same house. But new houses can be built near the parents’ if there is no more space in the old one available for living.

Dominated by the traditional concept of animism, the Derung’s understanding and worship to nature are mainly manifested in the belief in and sacrifice to various ghosts,thus, the Derung People generally believe in the existence and power of ghosts. The Derung people believe that all the misfortune and blessing in people’s life are generated by ghosts, and the sign of totem worship is rarely seen. A series of witching activities such as offering sacrifices to ghosts, treating diseases by witchery, hewing ghosts and divination are universal in this ethnic group. The New Year ofthe Derung people is their only festival,which is in the twelfth month ofthe lunar calendar and has no fixed date.

This ethnic group has its own unique calendar. In the long-term struggle of their production activities and life, they divide the year into twelve solar terms according to the changes ofnature.