White elephant dance and red deer dance are prop dances used by the Dai people in Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County of Lincang City and Menglian Dai, Lahu and Wa Autonomous County of Simao City for festive and blessing occasions. During folk festivals such as the Water Splashing Festival, people tie white elephants and red deer to dance to pray for good weather and good harvests. The props for the white elephant dance are divided into two categories: white elephant with white teeth and red elephant with white teeth, and the dances have the same meaning. The original name of the red deer dance in the Dai language is "Gaduo". "Ga" means to play and "Duo" is said to be a mysterious beast with a long body and long horns that looks like a red deer. "Enduo" is a dance that imitates this beast. Because the image and dance method of "Enduo" are similar to those of the red deer dance, over time, the people gradually combined the two into one, collectively known as the red deer dance. The dance originated from the ancient ancestors who lived in the mountains and forests and often interacted with elephants and red deer. They had a good impression of them and danced to imitate them. It is said that elephants are the messengers of Buddha, and "Duo" was discovered by Buddha when he went to worship Buddha. Later, they became the content of the dance of worshiping Buddha. The props of white elephants and red deer are made of bamboo and wood, and paper cloth is pasted on them and decorated with whiskers, fluff, and bright beads. They are painted appropriately so that the eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, tail, etc. can swing freely. Two people put their upper bodies into it, one in front and one behind, and carry the props to perform. Red deer dance is usually performed by two red deer together. The basic movements of the feet are walking, tapping, jumping, running in small steps, and ups and downs. According to the dance classification method, the dance movements of white elephant dance can be divided into seven types: kicking in place, turning with steps, stepping forward or backward, jumping with double legs, jumping and turning with double feet, leaping forward, and shaking the body. The two dances are usually performed on the same stage, accompanied by percussion instruments such as elephant foot drums, cymbals, etc. The movements are sometimes bionic and sometimes exaggerated, jumping and rolling, moving the head and tail, and shaking the body. The postures are graceful, lively and interesting, full of artistic charm, and can create a warm and festive atmosphere. Both dances are performed by men and have a broad mass base among the people. In large-scale activities, the number of red deer is not limited, ranging from two to more than a dozen. The White Elephant Dance and the Red Deer Dance are unique dances of the Dai people, with a long history and good inheritance. At present, in Mengyong Town, Lincang Dai White Elephant Dance is only Yang Yongfu who can make props, and most of those who can perform it completely are elderly people. There is a lack of people in the younger generation who master the performance skills and prop making of the White Elephant Dance. The Red Deer Dance is very popular in the Dai villages of Menglian. There are many people who can dance the Red Deer Dance in more than 30 villages in - and Nayun Town. The leg and foot movements of Meng'a Red Deer Dance are full of jumping and more martial arts, while the movements of Mengsuo Red Deer Dance are slow and flexible, and more performative. (No pictures yet, welcome to provide.) (No pictures yet, welcome to provide.)