The Dongba Script: The Dongba Script: A Pictographic Writing A Pictographic Writing

SystemSystem Pictograph:Pictograph: a logogram that is a simplified a logogram that is a simplified

picture-like representation of the thing it picture-like representation of the thing it represents (ideas are transmitted by represents (ideas are transmitted by drawings that resemble the concepts, drawings that resemble the concepts, words, actions or places they represent)words, actions or places they represent)

Dongba is a writing system, Dongba is a writing system, created over 1000 years ago, created over 1000 years ago, by the Naxi shamans of by the Naxi shamans of Lijiang, Yunnan Province Lijiang, Yunnan Province to record ceremonies and to record ceremonies and rituals of the Dongba religionrituals of the Dongba religion

Dongba SymbolsDongba Symbols According to locals, the Dongba script is According to locals, the Dongba script is

the only living pictographic language in the only living pictographic language in the world. the world.

It consists of over 1400 symbols, mainly It consists of over 1400 symbols, mainly related to the natural world, subsistence, related to the natural world, subsistence, religion and culture. No symbols for religion and culture. No symbols for modern items exist (i.e. computer).modern items exist (i.e. computer).

At the Dongba Cultural At the Dongba Cultural Research Institute (Lijiang, Research Institute (Lijiang,

China, August 2007)China, August 2007)

The Dongba shaman (left) is using a traditional bamboo pen The Dongba shaman (left) is using a traditional bamboo pen and writing on handmade, holy paper. Prior to the and writing on handmade, holy paper. Prior to the

invention of paper in this region, shamans wrote on stones, invention of paper in this region, shamans wrote on stones, animal bones and tortoise shells.animal bones and tortoise shells.

Details about the Naxi & Dongba Details about the Naxi & Dongba CultureCulture

There are about 300,000 members of the Naxi ethnic minority There are about 300,000 members of the Naxi ethnic minority today.today.

Dongba means “scholar”, “shaman”, and “teacher”, and is also the Dongba means “scholar”, “shaman”, and “teacher”, and is also the name of their religion (a syncretic religion which combines name of their religion (a syncretic religion which combines elements of Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism and Islam).elements of Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism and Islam).

Only men can become Dongbas, and it’s an ascribed position Only men can become Dongbas, and it’s an ascribed position (passed on from father to eldest son. The man in the photograph (passed on from father to eldest son. The man in the photograph is a 13is a 13thth generation Dongba. He has three sons, but his eldest generation Dongba. He has three sons, but his eldest isn’t interested in carrying on the tradition, so his second or third isn’t interested in carrying on the tradition, so his second or third son will inherit the position.son will inherit the position.

Different Dongba masters have different skills: some are good are Different Dongba masters have different skills: some are good are playing musical instruments, some at dancing, others like the one playing musical instruments, some at dancing, others like the one in the photo are skilled at pictograph writing.in the photo are skilled at pictograph writing.

In addition to recording religious rituals, Dongbas also use this In addition to recording religious rituals, Dongbas also use this writing system to record weddings, births, deaths, etc. (and writing system to record weddings, births, deaths, etc. (and nowadays write messages for tourists!). Proceeds go to the DCR nowadays write messages for tourists!). Proceeds go to the DCR and towards preservation and research efforts of the Naxi culture.and towards preservation and research efforts of the Naxi culture.

The paper on which they write is made in Lijiang (at the Institute), The paper on which they write is made in Lijiang (at the Institute), and consists of various herbs so insects don’t destroy it. As a and consists of various herbs so insects don’t destroy it. As a result, many people have these “special papers” in their families result, many people have these “special papers” in their families for many generations.for many generations.