The Dongba Script: A Pictographic Writing System Pictograph: a logogram that is a simplified picture-like representation of the thing it represents (ideas are transmitted by drawings that resemble the concepts, words, actions or places they represent) Dongba is a writing system, created over 1000 years ago, by the Naxi shamans of Lijiang, Yunnan Province to record ceremonies and rituals of the Dongba religion

Dongba Symbols According to locals, the Dongba script is the only living pictographic language in the world. It consists of over 1400 symbols, mainly related to the natural world, subsistence, religion and culture. No symbols for modern items exist (i.e. computer).

At the Dongba Cultural Research Institute (Lijiang, China, August 2007) The Dongba shaman (left) is using a traditional bamboo pen and writing on handmade, holy paper. Prior to the invention of paper in this region, shamans wrote on stones, animal bones and tortoise shells. There are about 300,000 members of the Naxi ethnic minority today. Dongba means “scholar”, “shaman”, and “teacher”, and is also the name of their religion (a syncretic religion which combines elements of Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism and Islam). Only men can become Dongbas, and it’s an ascribed position (passed on from father to eldest son. The man in the photograph is a 13th generation Dongba. He has three sons, but his eldest isn’t interested in carrying on the tradition, so his second or third son will inherit the position. Different Dongba masters have different skills: some are good are playing musical instruments, some at dancing, others like the one in the photo are skilled at pictograph writing In addition to recording religious rituals, Dongbas also use this writing system to record weddings, births, deaths, etc. (and nowadays write messages for tourists!). Proceeds go to the DCR and towards preservation and research efforts of the Naxi culture. 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 result, many people have these “special papers” in their families for many generations.

Details about the Naxi & Dongba Culture There are about 300,000 members of the Naxi ethnic minority today. Dongba means “scholar”, “shaman”, and “teacher”, and is also the name of their religion (a syncretic religion which combines elements of Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism and Islam). Only men can become Dongbas, and it’s an ascribed position (passed on from father to eldest son. The man in the photograph is a 13th generation Dongba. He has three sons, but his eldest isn’t interested in carrying on the tradition, so his second or third son will inherit the position. Different Dongba masters have different skills: some are good are playing musical instruments, some at dancing, others like the one in the photo are skilled at pictograph writing. In addition to recording religious rituals, Dongbas also use this writing system to record weddings, births, deaths, etc. (and nowadays write messages for tourists!). Proceeds go to the DCR and towards preservation and research efforts of the Naxi culture. 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 result, many people have these “special papers” in their families for many generations.