Dabia is an ancient plucked instrument of the Nu people, mostly used for solo or folk song and dance accompaniment. It is popular in Gongshan, Bijiang, Fugong, Lanping and other places in Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province. Playing instruments for the Nu people. Also known as "Dabian", the local Han people call it "Nu Pipa".
A long time ago, there was an orphan of the Nu nationality who lost his parents when he was a child. He had no house or land, and lived alone in a cave in the deep mountain. His life was very miserable. One day, he found a piece of yellow mulberry trunk, hollowed it out and made a dabia.
Every night, orphans play this instrument to relieve loneliness and express their feelings. The crisp sound of the piano moved a hard-working and beautiful girl in the cottage. She walked out of the house and married the orphan. Since then, Dabia has spread among the Nu people. To this day, it is still a medium instrument for young Nu men and women to talk about love at night.
When young men and women fall in love, they do not use language to talk, but rely on the "Dabiya" and "kouxian" two kinds of Nu musical instruments to "play". Young men often use "Dabiya" to express their admiration to girls, while young women answer with "mouth strings", and they can understand the meaning of each other's tune and tone.