The Social Significance of the Ancient Yi Wrestling Sport Within the Context of Fire Culture

Abstract

The element of "fire" holds significant religious importance for various ethnic groups worldwide, including the Yi ethnic group in China, often called the "people of fire." This designation reflects their challenging environment and ancient beliefs that have shaped a unique fire culture. According to Yi legends, "strongmen" triumphed over "gods" through wrestling, symbolizing the theme of "humans conquering the divine." This narrative inspired the "Torch Festival" and popularized wrestling among the Yi people. In their ancient matriarchal society, the ancestors of the Yi linked "fire worship" and "ancestor worship" through "reproductive worship," with wrestling representing reproductive capacity and ethnic continuity. During the Qin, Han, Tang, Song, and Yuan dynasties, the central government employed systems like the "ghost master system" to control local populations, reinforcing the authority of chieftains through religious affiliations in the Yi region. The Yi began to practice wrestling as a tribute to their ancestors, often intentionally losing matches to show respect. This practice was also connected to exorcism, believed to drive away ghosts and avert disasters. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the "Gaitu Guiliu" policy led to the replacement of traditional chieftains with appointed leaders, fostering cultural blending. Wrestling among the Yi people gained sacred significance, serving as a means to resolve disputes and as an important political instrument for promoting mutual understanding between the Yi and Han nationalities during this transformative period.