Wu Xiaodong comes from Miao people, born in Fenghuang County, Hunan; received his M.A. in Linguistics from Central Institute for Nationalities in 1992. He currently is Assistant Researcher at Institute of Ethnic Literature, CASS, presently majoring in Miao oral literature and verbal arts; Among his publications are articles in Panhu shenhua: Chu yu Lu-Rong de yichang zhanzheng (Panhu Myth and the War Between Ancient Chu Tribe and Lu-rong Tribe, in Ethnic Literature Studies, 2000:4) and Miaojiang Yuzu hongshui shenhua: Miao-man yu Dong-yi zhanzheng de fanying (Flood Myth Transmitted in Frontier Miao Areas: as Reflection on the Fights Between Ancient Miao Tribes and East Yi Groups, in Ethnic Literature Studies, 1999:4); he is author of Miaozu tuteng yu shenhua (Miao Totem and Mythology, 2002).