Dongba pictograph scroll sets new world record

A 663-meter Dongba pictograph scroll,Qianxi Tiange (Millennium Sky Song), featuring Dongba pictographs, Naxi pinyin and modern Chinese holds the record, awarded by the World Record Association, for the longest calligraphy scroll of Dongba pictographs.

It was exhibited at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in May. The creator of this work, He Wenguang, is an expert in Naxi culture and a member of the Naxi ethnic group. His family members are known for their singing and compositions of Naxi folk songs, and he is known as a versatile artist in terms of singing, writing lyrics, composing and calligraphy.

He said that his son happened to meet Fu Qiang, from Nanjing University of the Arts, in the summer of 2002, and Fu was very interested in this musical family, and spoke of his intention to create a Dongba pictograph scroll. As they could not find anyone else well versed in all the three kinds of characters to be used in the scroll, He finished the whole work himself.

During the last Spring Festival, Jiang Wenhua, who works with the China Red-Culture Institute, visited He in his home, and saw the finished scroll. Amazed by the delicacy and uniqueness of the work, he encouraged He to share his art with the public. With the help of Jiang, the Dongba pictograph work was displayed in Beijing, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, on May 18.

Wu Huajiang, an official with the World Record Association, said: "Dongba culture is not only for Lijiang, but also for China and the world as a whole. I am a Hong Kong resident, but I am ultimately a Chinese. Hong Kong is a melting pot of Eastern and Western culture. I truly hope that the certification will allow Dongba culture to become known and enjoyed by people around the world."

Edited by Niva Whyman and Le Qin