The Inheritance Pedigree of Bimo Culture

Bimo has a strict inheritance tradition and should adapt to the patrilineal inheritance system in Yi society, so Bimo's inheritance follows the principle of passing on men instead of women. In the Yi people's view, Bimo is a sacred profession, and its inheritance and continuation within the ethnic group must be limited so that the family can always maintain the honor and status of Bimo family. However, after 17 years old, women are no longer regarded as members of the father's family, and whether they are married or not, they have no right and opportunity to inherit Bimo's clerical identity and status.

Bimo is versatile and knowledgeable. He not only has the main functions of writing, offering sacrifices, practicing medicine and divination, but also has the cultural function of sorting out, standardizing and teaching Yi language. He wrote and copied ancient books, including religion, philosophy, ethics, history, astronomy, medicine, pesticides, crafts, customs and people. Bimo plays an important role in the production and life of Yi people, such as childbirth, weddings and funerals, diseases, festivals, hunting and sowing. Bimo is in charge of both theocracy and culture; It not only manages ghosts and gods, but also guides people. In the eyes of Yi people, Bimo is an intellectual of the whole Yi society and a defender and disseminator of Yi culture.