Dongba shaman teaches ancient writing system

He Guoyao, a Dongba shaman priest of the Naxi ethnic group, has opened a Dongba culture inheritance center in Lijiang.

The center, located in Yulong county of Lijiang, will begin enrolling students for free to learn Dongba culture and Dongba painting techniques.

Dongba culture dates back over a thousand years. The ancient Naxi of Yunnan province created pictographic characters called "Dongba" script in the seventh century. This script is currently the only remaining pictographic character system in the world.

He Guoyao learned Dongba manuscript as a child. Worried that very few young people are able to write Dongba today, he decided to open the inheritance center to pass on the ancient art to the younger generation.

Dongba shaman He Guoyao demonstrates writing Dongba manuscripts at the International Department of CPC Central Committee Promotional Conference held in Kunming, Yunnan province, on April 27. [Photo/Yunnan.cn]

Dongba manuscripts attract crowds of foreigner fans at the International Department of CPC Central Committee Promotional Conference held in Kunming, Yunnan province, on April 27. [Photo/Yunnan.cn]

Dongba manuscripts on display. [Photo provided by Li Jincan for chinadaily.com.cn]

Edited by Zachary Dye