The Institute of Yi Cultural Studies Collection of Yi Archives

This collection consists of digital images of original volumes dating roughly from the late 16th century to the early 20th century. All of the scripts are written in the east or south dialect of the Yi language, which is spoken in Wuding and Shuangbai in Chuxiong, and Luquan and Xundian in Kunming. The original volumes are writings in black or red ink on cotton paper, bounded by strings and wrapped by hemp cloth or leather. About 50 volumes are mounted. The names of the original scribes are unknown. In Yi culture it is forbidden for scribes to mark their names on documents.