★ Classics of Yunnan Ethnic Groups in English Translation is a collection of 17 classical works from 11 ethnic groups in Yunnan Province, published in the bilingual form.
★ This is the first time in China that a large-scale English translation of Yunnan's rich ethnic classics has been undertaken.
★ The classics selected for the set are mainly myths and epics of various ethnic groups, such as Zhaoshutun, Old Folk Songs of the Dai & the Naxi, Manau Jaiwa, PamiChali, Zhisa Jiabu, Chamu, Meige and The Gold Flute, etc.

The Gold Flute is a narrative epic loved and shared by the Hmong (Miao) people in Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan provinces in China, and in countries like Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, the United States and France. The plot twists and turns, full of changes, legends and rich ethnic characteristics. Up to now, it is the only epic widely circulated among the Hmong people worldwide.
The epic mainly tells the story of two young lovers, Zhadong Piran and Mengshi Caizou, and their happiness and sufferings. It highlights the two lovers’ unyielding spirit, perseverance and bravery demonstrated in their fighting with monster tigers. Mengshi Caizou was kidnapped by monster tigers, and in order to save his sweetheart from danger, Zhadong Piran went through countless hardships. Finally, he killed the tigers, rid people of the evils and reunited with his sweetheart.
The story of the two lovers, told through a gold flute and leaf music, reflects the Hmong people’s pursuit and ideals. In terms of literary, artistic and aesthetic value, The Gold Flute is undoubtedly an encyclopedia of the history and culture of the Hmong people. The epic covers a wide range of cultural fields like clothes, music, festivals, marriage customs, funeral traditions and psychology of the Hmong people in the south and southeast of Yunnan.

Canto 1 Night Dream // 1
Canto 2 Presenting the Gold Flute // 15
Canto 3 In Love // 31
Canto 4 Blocking the Way // 53
Canto 5 Being Trapped // 83
Canto 6 Trial Use of the Machete // 105
Canto 7 Chasing Tigers // 119
Canto 8 Sunk Deep in Sleep // 129
Canto 9 Bloodshed in Monsters’ Cave // 157
Canto 10 Keeping the Grave Faithfully // 195
Canto 11 Sadness Passing, Happiness Came in // 213