From Ritual to Game: Research on the Innovative Design of Dali Bai Jiama Cultural Board Game under the Interactive Heritage DOI:

Abstract

As an important element of Yunnan Province’s intangible cultural heritage, the Dali Bai Jiama faces challenges in its transmission, including insufficient public awareness and limited dissemination channels. Based on the theory of embodied interaction, this study explores innovative pathways for transmitting Jiama culture by integrating it into board games. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, collecting data through questionnaires, fieldwork, and expert interviews. The results indicate that, while respondents’ awareness of Jiama culture is relatively low, they demonstrate a high level of interest and hold positive attitudes toward cultural board games, suggesting that board games have significant potential for cultural dissemination. Fieldwork and expert interviews further revealed that existing Jiama cultural and creative products largely remain at the level of visual symbol transformation, lacking a deep presentation of cultural experiences. Based on these findings, this study proposes three design schemes for Jiama cultural board games that integrate ritual practices, cultural identity, and production processes. The research indicates that embodied interactive board games can promote cultural experiences and public participation, providing new design insights for the innovative transmission and dissemination of intangible cultural heritage.