Yimakan is a practice of storytelling that has an integral part of Hezhen ethnohistory and worldview.
Storytelling and ballad singing are both favorite pastimes among the Hezhen people in China since they are rich in folk tales. In addition to their oral literature, they also have a rich body of legends and songs that are present in all aspects of their lives.
This storytelling is narrated in the native Hezhen language. In both verse and prose, it includes many separate episodes depicting tribal alliances and battles, including defeating demons and invaders by Hezhen heroes.
Yimakan represents the spiritual universe, their myths and legends, cultures, philosophy, religion, and history of the community. They believe that the gods enjoy listening to these songs and will help them gain favor and give them health, abundant hunting, and good luck. Meanwhile, the demons dislike yimakan.
Henzhen people believe that the sense of magic and spirituality embodied in such songs allows the singers to communicate with both gods and demons. They believed that they could influence singers similarly by emulating the actions of shamans. Usually, yimakan performers use varying melodies to represent various characters and plots when improvising stories without instrumental accompaniment.
Yimakan plays a vital role in preserving the Hezhen language, religion, beliefs, folklore, and customs since they don't have a writing system. In addition to maintaining traditional knowledge of shamanic rituals, fishing, and hunting, it also highlights the protection of ethnic identity and territorial integrity.
Most of Hezhen's history and traditions are handed down by yimakan since ancient times. But this folk song has nearly died out in the past few decades. Nevertheless, as the speed of modernization and standardization of school education increases, the Hezhen mother tongue is now imperiled.
It caused the loss of many of these storytellers, as well as the departure of younger generations who are moving to cities in search of employment, it has now become one of the major obstacles to the promotion and preservation of Yimakan culture.
As of today, Hezhen only has five master storytellers capable of performing yimakan in their native language. Currently, however, outsiders are also increasingly accepted for an apprenticeship. They usually train in master-apprentice relationships within their own clans and families. Hopefully, this can be a good sign to preserve this tradition for Hezhen people in the future.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/USL/hezhen-yimakan-storytelling-00530) (https://factsanddetails.com/china/cat5/sub88/entry-4362.html)