Dish Jumping

Dish Jumping

　　The singing and dancing dining accompaniment of the Yi people — "Dish Jumping" — involves serving food while dancing. It is a unique form of food service and the highest etiquette for entertaining guests among the Yi people in the Wuliang and Ailao Mountains of Yunnan. This long-standing traditional culinary culture is a perfect blend of dance, music, acrobatics, and cuisine.

　　"Dish Jumping" is elegantly called the "Tray Holding Dance" and commonly known as the "Dish Carrying Dance." The performance is divided into two forms: "Banquet Dish Jumping" and "Performance Dish Jumping." "Banquet Dish Jumping," also called "On-site Dish Jumping," is a significant celebration in the folk life of Nanjian, adding a joyful and festive atmosphere to happy occasions. "Performance Dish Jumping" refers to Dish Jumping performed on stage, with the number of performers adjusted based on venue size, ranging from dozens to hundreds. The dance movements are bold and vigorous, powerful and strong, accompanied by high-pitched, sonorous sounds.

　　"Dish Jumping" has a long history and is said to have evolved from primitive matriarchal clan societies, flourishing mainly during the Tang Dynasty. Legend has it that this was a form of dance art performed by the ancient Yi people to honor emperors in palaces, which later gradually spread to the public, becoming a standout among Yi folk arts and a gem of their culinary culture. It forms the origin of the ethnic culture in Nanjian. Dish Jumping has been passed down in Dali and Nanjian, Yunnan. Its performances remind reporters of ancient China through the Han and Tang periods, when dance, music, acrobatics, and culinary culture were often intertwined, complementing and harmonizing with each other, preserving the primitive style and folk essence handed down since ancient times.

　　A Perfect Blend of Artistic Appreciation and Cuisine

　　During banquet "Dish Jumping," pairs of performers take turns jumping, each with unique poses and ever-changing movements, combining strength and grace, spinning effortlessly, continuously presenting trays filled with dishes in creative ways. They use their heads, hands, shoulders, or even one person riding on another’s back... At times they perform moves like "Flies Rubbing Their Feet," "Heron Stretching Its Legs," "Golden Deer Gazing at the Moon," or "Pheasant Drinking Water," flipping, stomping, and dancing boldly while competing to showcase their skills.

　　The most spectacular parts of the entire performance are the "Mouth Skill Serving" and the "Empty-Handed Tower Stacking Jump." The Dish Jumping performers hold two large bronze spoons in their mouths, each with a bowl of food, while their heads support trays also laden with dishes. With smiling faces and full enthusiasm, they jump and serve food simultaneously.

　　Zi Zhenghong explains that the "Empty-Handed Tower Stacking Jump" is a more challenging move in the Dish Jumping performance. The tray on the performer’s head holds eight bowls, while each hand carries four stacked bowls of food. Keeping time with the rhythm, they jump and dance through the banquet area. In Nanjian folklore, the arrangement of dishes in banquet "Dish Jumping" is also very particular, following traditional rules. Common arrangements include the "Palace Return Eight Formations," "Square Shape," "Plum Blossom Shape," and "One Street." Guests may not start eating until the four main bowls of food are served. While admiring the endless variations in the performers’ dance moves and their cheerful, humorous acts, diners savor the flavors of the Yi mountain villages — enjoying both a feast for the eyes and the palate.