Abstract: Wuding County, Yunnan Province is different from the rest of the country in terms of both geographical surroundings and human environment. In history, it was a middle zone between areas ruled by local officials (tuguan) and those administered by circulating officials (liuguan) appointed by dynasties of heartland China. This two ruling patterns coexisted and their jurisdictions often overlapped each other. As a result of repeated rebellions of the Feng family, the central government replaced the local officials with circulating ones. Finding it difficult to cover the consequent high administrating budgets, the central government of the early Qing Dynasty (1644―1911) established a number of Yi chieftains (tusi) as local administrators, among whom later rose the Na family. One of the central issues of continuance of the chieftain families was succession, choice of heir in particular. Many of the internal conflicts, as a matter of fact, resulted from disputes over choice of heir. To legitimize, standardize and institutionalize chieftain succession practices, the Qing government issued official seals and letters of attorney to the chieftains.

Key words: Yi chieftain (tusi), succession, heir, official seal, letter of attorney