彝族海菜腔，诞生于云南红河哈尼族彝族自治州石屏县秀美的异龙湖畔。得名于石屏异龙湖中生长的一种叫做海菜的植物，它的外形细长，质地柔软，恰如海菜腔那绵长的旋律。
海菜腔听起来仿佛未经雕琢，实际上经历了无数演唱者将其不断升华的过程。它以石屏方言演唱，天然又清澈，自由又开朗，那似要穿破云天的清亮嗓音，惊艳了世人。

石屏民间流传着“不学浮萍漂四海，要学海菜根又深”的说法。彝家人把自己心爱的歌唱艺术称为海菜腔，不仅是异龙湖畔彝族人民曾经历史生活的真实写照，同时也是祖祖辈辈思想情感与理想追求的浓缩。

Haicai Tune of the Yi nationality was born in Shiping County, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, where the Yilong Lake locates at. It is named after Hai Cai (an edible seaweed that grows in the lake). Hai Cai generally appears in slender shape. The texture of this seaweed is soft and tender, which resembles the beautiful melody of Haicai Tune.

Though sound like unpolished, Haicai Tune has been evolving and became what it is today owing to repeated improvements made by many singers. It is performed in Shiping dialect, sounds natural and pure, and has an open and free touch. It is something so sharp and clear that people who hear it will be amazed.
There is a saying among Shiping people, “Do not act like the duckweed that floats around. Live like Hai Cai, a deep-rooting plant.” The Yi people name their beloved singing art Haicai Tune, which not only reflects the life of ancient Yi people, but also reminds the later generations of their ancestors’ thoughts, emotions and pursuits.