ONCE upon a time there was a kingdom that flourished in ancient China called the Nanzhao Kingdom(738-902).It prospered and was influential throughout Southeast Asia,during the years of the Tang Dynasty(618-907).Various ethnic groups thrived in the kingdom,but the one that held the most power in government was the Yi people.They governed the large region containing hundreds of rivers and integrated the political,economic,military strengths and folk customs of other ethnic groups.The Yi language(both in its written and spoken form)was the official language of the day.During the more than 100 years of its existence,Nanzhao enjoyed peace and prosperity.It was also during this time that the local culture of singing and dancing flourished.Later,when the Nanzhao Kingdom was overthrown by an influential official surnamed Zheng during the late Tang Dynasty,almost all members of the Nanzhao Kingdom’s royal family were executed.