ID#: 184

Aka Ami (2025) ; 8:00

by Zhaoyi Ma

Sichuan Conservatory of Music

The birth of a baby marks the beginning of life and stands as a momentous event in human existence. Among the Hani people of southwestern China, a special celebration called the “Outing Ceremony” (Chumen Li) is held on the thirteenth day after a child’s birth. In the musical work “Aka Ami,” the term “Aka” refers to the Hani ethnic group, while “Ami” means “girl” in the Hani language. Centered around this traditional ceremony, the composition incorporates four distinctive sonic elements: ancestral lullabies sung to the newborn, conversational exchanges in Hani language, the haunting tones of the “rain-pulp leaf” aerophone, and modern electronic textures. Through this auditory tapestry, the piece embodies the Hani people’s profound hopes and blessings bestowed upon new life.This piece is supported by Music and Digital Intelligence, Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, China.