The stilt house (Diaojiao House), a kind of folk residence built on the stilts of different heights, is usually built beside the river or in steep mountain areas. The stilt house is usually divided into two parts, the front part and the rear part. The front part is a storied building built on the ground and similar to the fence-style building, while the rear part is a bungalow. In front of the house is a corridor formed by wood balusters with a height of about 1 meter. Suspended windows were equipped in some houses for rest and enjoying cool. Sundries can be stored under the floor, and, by this, the space is utilized smartly. The space of the stilt house is arranged facilely in various shapes. The shortage of construction land is relatively relieved, for the stilt house makes use of the hillside or river, which is originally not suitable for building houses. Furthermore, it has the advantages of aeration, moisture-proof, viper defense, and wild animal defense.
Tag: Ethnic Minority
Talk about Long Melody Ballad of the Mongolians
The Long melody is a sort of ballad which was created by nomadic tribes in North China in the course of stockbreeding(畜牧业xùmùyè) activities and is sung at the time of grazing and during traditional festivals of Mongolian. It is featured by long-drawn-out and leisurely rhythm, extensive artistic conception, magnitude of tones, fewness of lyric, long tinge, and highly decorative rhythm. Long melody with the most distinct feature is coloratura singing style evolving from the singing type of "Noguerra" (Mongolian, means twisted and turned sound or decorative sound). It is the typical music style of the Mongolian ethnic minority.
Andai Dance
In North China, there live the Chinese herdsmen(a man who looks after a herd of animals such as cattle or goats) — the Mongolian ethnic minority. They love the grassland, love dancing and singing. The Mongolian people created a lot of dances and music, of which the most famous one is Andai Dance(安代舞āndàiwǔ).
Moonlight dance of A’xi
Yi ethnic group(彝族Yízú) has many branches. Some still live in extremely cold areas and their dances vary. The Moonlight Dance of Axi, popular in Lunan and Mile of Yunnan Province, is a kind of mass dance of Axi and Sani people of the Yi ethnic minority.
Tattoo in Chinese Minorities
The Chinese Drung and Dai minorities have tattoo customs inherited from their ancestors. Among the Drung ethnic minority, women have tattoos on their faces. In the past, girls were tattooed when they turned 12 or 13 as a symbol of maturity.
Halal Food 清真菜
China is famous for its various kinds of food and this article introduces the Halal food(清真菜qīnɡzhēn cài). In Chinese, halal is called Qingzhen Cai. Hahal food is easy to find in most major cities in China given the large Muslim population in China. Small Muslim restaurants and food stalls are also widely available in cities or towns because of the number of Muslim migrants from western China. Muslim restaurants in China are usually run by Muslim migrants, and offer cheap halal food given the greater prevalence of these meats in the cuisine of western Chinese regions.
Water Splashing Festival of the Dai Ethnic Minority 傣族泼水节
泼水节为傣历新年的庆祝活动，一般在阳历4月13日至15日这三天，到了节日，傣族男女老少就穿上节日盛装，挑着清水，先到佛寺浴佛，然后就开始互相泼水，你泼我，我泼你，一朵朵水花在空中盛开，它象征着吉祥、幸福、健康，青年手里明亮晶莹的水珠，还象征着甜蜜的爱情。大家互相泼啊泼，到处是水的洗礼、水的祝福、水的欢歌。朵朵水花串串笑，泼水节成了欢乐的海洋。The Water Splashing Festival is the celebration of the New Year in the Dai people’s calendar, which usually falls on the three days from April 13 – 15. During the festival, the Dai people, wearing their festival suits, carry clean water first to temples to wash the Buddha and then splash each other with water. It is a way of washing away the old year and ushering in a new one. The clean and crystal water drops in the hands of young men represent sweet love. Water means ablution; water means blessings. With water vapor and laughter in the air, the Water Splashing Festival creates a sea of tranquility and happiness.
泼水节的内容，除泼水外，还有赛龙舟、斗鸡、跳孔雀舞、丢包、放高升、放孔明灯等活动。Besides water splashing, people also race dragon boats, hold cockfights, perform peacock dances, play bean-bag games, set off firecrackers and illuminate Kongming lanterns.
每年到过泼水节的时候，数以万千的中外旅游者便纷纷云集云南西双版纳、瑞丽等傣族地区，参加和祝福傣族的泼水节。年复一年，泼水节规模越来越大，参加的旅游者越来越多，1961年4月13日，周恩来总理也曾参加过西双版纳的泼水节。从此以后，傣族泼水节更加名扬四海。During Water Splashing Festival every year, millions of Chinese and overseas tourists swarm to Xishuangbanna, Ruili and other Dai places in Yunnan for the grand festival. As times goes by, the scale of Water Splashing Festival also keeps increasing with the growing number of participating tourists. On April 13, 1961, Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai participated in the Water Splashing Festival in Xishuangbanna.
Lusheng Dance of Miao ethnic minority 芦笙舞
The Lusheng Dance is the most representative and favorite dance of the Miao people. Different tunes have different meanings and are played in different circumstances. People dance differently and take different activities according to them. It can be generally divided into three categories: for entertainment, for show, and for seeking love.
Torch Festival of the Yi Ethnic Minority 彝族火把节
云南的彝族、白族、纳西族、哈尼族、傈僳族、拉祜族、普米族等少数民族都有共同的节日——火把节，但参加人数最多、规模最大、知名度最高的当数彝族火把节。火把节也是彝族人民最隆重的节日。The ethnic minorities in Yunnan such as the Yi, Bai, Naxi, Hani, Lisu, Lahu and Pumi have a common festival – the Torch Festival. The Torch Festival of the Yi features the largest number of participants, with bright burning flames and torches. The Torch Festival is the grandest festival of the Yi people.
火把节古代又称“星回节”。关于星回节的起源，其说法各不相同：纳西族是为纪念一位保护人间五谷丰收而牺牲的天将；傈僳族是为欢迎诸葛亮南征而点燃火把前去驱散前进路上的瘴气，赶走猛兽；彝族是为除虫害、庆丰收；彝族支系撒尼人则是为庆贺撒尼英雄用羊角火烧死欺压撒尼人的魔王。In ancient times, the Torch Festival was called Xinghui Festival. Different ethnic minorities had different sayings on the origin of the festival. For the Naxi, the festival commemorates a general from heaven who died in order to protect people’s grain harvests; the Lisu people think the festival was for welcoming Zhuge Liang’s expedition to the south, and the torch was to drive away the diseases and beasts on the way forward; the Yi people celebrate the festival to eradicate insect swarms and celebrate a good harvest; while the Sani people, a branch of the Yi ethnic group, believe that the festival is held to commemorate a Sani hero who burned the fiend with a goat horn. The fiend used to bully Sani people.
为除虫害、庆丰收，每年农历6月24日至25日（阳历7月8～9日），彝族人民都要穿上节日盛装，弹着月琴、大三弦，吹着芦笙来参加火把节。In order to eliminate insects and celebrate good harvest, on the 24th to the 25th days of the sixth month of Chinese lunar calendar (July 8-9), all the Yi people, wearing their festival suits, play Yu-kin musical instruments and the great three-stringed instrument to participate in Torch Festival.
火把节的内容程序是：白天人们饮酒祝贺节日并进行摔跤、斗牛活动。武定县、禄劝县等地的彝族还开展射箭、赛马、打秋千等活动。到了晚上日落夜黑，家家户户的大人小孩就把事先做好的长约2米、直径约20～30公分的干松柱火把点燃。人们高举火把汇村头、寨边或广场上，然后在松林、田间奔驰，表示驱除虫害邪恶，以求丰收幸福。During the day, people drink liquor to celebrate the festival and take part in wrestling and bullfighting activities. In Wuding and Luquan Counties, the Yi also have activities such as archery, horse racing and swinging . At night, everyone lights a torch that is 2 meters long and 20-30 cm in diameter, which are made of dry pine sticks. Holding the torch high, they gather in front of their villages or near the village square. Then, they run in the pine forests and on the farmland to drive away insects and evil spirits, and pray for a good harvest.
每年逢火把节的晚上，从昆明到路南县石林风景区的中外游客有数万人至十几万人，每个人手持火把，与彝族人民汇集在石林风景区，把整个大地照得通红，形成灿烂耀目的火海。为给旅游者助兴，当地政府还在石林风景区组织放礼花，整个夜空五彩缤纷，使观者目不暇接。On the night of the Torch Festival every year, several thousand Chinese and foreign visitors go to the Stone Forest Scenic Spot, each holding a torch and gathering with the Yi people. In order to entertain the visitors, the local government also sets off fireworks in the Stone Forest.
在火把节活动中，彝族人民还用火把架在一起，举行篝火晚会。在篝火傍，彝族青年男子吹起笛子、弹起动听的月琴和大三弦，边弹边舞，姑娘们也合着拍跳起优美的舞步，拍掌跳转，节奏强烈而情绪欢快。有时一直跳到天明。On the night of the Torch Festival, Yi people also put their torch together in a bonfire. Around the bonfires, young men play flutes, yu-kins and great three-stringed instruments while dancing. Young women also dance gracefully according to the tempos while clapping their hands and spinning around. The strong rhythms also encourage people’s enthusiasm. Sometime, the activity lasts until dawn.
Cross-Stitch挑花
挑花流传于湖北省黄梅县和湖南省隆回县，是一种具有极强装饰性的刺绣工艺。Cross-stitch is a type of highly decorative embroidery. The type of cross-stitch found in Huangmei County in Hubei Province is distinct from those found in Longhui County in Hunan.
黄梅挑花又名架子花、十字挑花，广泛流传于湖北省黄梅县。相传起源于唐宋时期，成熟于明末清初。长期以来，经过一代又一代农家妇女的精研细作，这门工艺日臻完善，以明快的色彩组合、精巧的图案构想凸显出独特的艺术表现力。Huangmei Cross-stitch, named after the Huangmei County in Hubei, is also known as the frame stitch or cross-stitch. It is said that it originated in the Tang and Song dynasties, and evolved into a sophisticated skill in late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty. Refined and perfected by generations of peasant females over the years, it features a crisp color combination and ingenious pattern design, highlighting a unique artistic expression.
黄梅挑花被国内许多民间工艺研究专家称为彩挑。黄梅乡下百里棉区的彩色挑花更为精美，花样丰富多彩，地方特色浓郁。当地有俗谚说：“黄梅有女皆挑花。”蔡山、新开、孔垅等地的挑花工艺最为兴盛，女孩刚懂事就跟着妈妈或婶婶做针线活，一直做到出嫁。当地人把不会挑花的女孩叫做“整巴掌”，这对女孩是一种羞辱。Huangmei Cross-stitch is referred by many domestic and oversea folk art researchers as “colored cross-stitch”. In the vast cotton cultivation area in the countryside of Huangmei County, the colored cross-stitch is even more beautiful, with a variety of patterns and strong local characteristics. There is a local proverb that says: “every girl in Huangmei excels at cross-stitch”. In Caishan, Xinkai, and Konglong, where the cross-stitch is flourishing in particular, girls begin to learn the needlework from their mother or aunt once they are capable of sewing and will keep practicing until they are married. Locals call a girl who fails to master the cross-stitch skill a “green hand”, which is very embarrassing.
黄梅挑花不同于一般刺绣，刺绣重刺，挑花重挑。黄梅挑花以元青布作底，用针将五彩丝线挑绣在底布经线和纬线交织的网格上，形成色泽绚丽、立体感强的图案。其中针脚为“×”字形的称“十字绣”，针脚为“一”字形的称平线绣。作品最初主要有头巾、衣边、门帘、帐沿、床围等，民间妇女用它们来打扮自己和装饰居室。While common embroidery emphasizes embroidering skills, the cross-stitch focuses on the stitching. For Huangmei Cross-stitch, black cloth is used as the base, and colorful silk is stitched on the cloth mesh with interwoven warp and weft to form patterns that have brilliant colors and a strong three dimensional sense. In cross-sitch, the stitching is in the shape of “×”, referred to as the “cross-stitch”, while the stitch shape of the “Chinese character one” is referred to as the “flat stitch”. The works were originally limited to scarves, clothing hems, curtains, bed curtains and bed surrounds or other things that were used by girls to dress themselves or to decorate the room.
花瑶挑花相传源于汉代，成熟于明清时期。挑花的材料为藏青色或白色的土布和各色丝纱线，挑花女不用描图和模具，只是遵循土布的经纬徒手挑制，多采用图案中套图案的填充式挑花工艺。挑花图案取材广泛，多达千余种，大致有动物、植物、历史、生活习俗等四大类，以动物类图案最为常见，构思奇巧，造型大胆夸张，布局均衡对称，色彩黑白分明，具有强烈的视觉冲击力。我国著名文博专家沈从文先生称之为“世界第一流的挑花”。花瑶挑花服饰被中国美术馆、民族博物馆列为珍品收藏。1994年花瑶挑花在文化部举办的“中国民间艺术一绝大展”中获得铜奖，2003年又获“中国首届文物仿制品暨民间工艺品大展”金奖，隆回县虎形山瑶族乡因此被湖南省文化厅命名为“文化艺术之乡”。It is said that the Huyao Cross-stitch originated in the Han Dynasty and become a mature craft in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The material for Huayao Cross-stitch is navy blue or white folkweave, and silk and yarn with different colors. Women craftsmen stitch along the warp and woof of the folkweave, all by hand, without any trace or die. Filling is a common stitching process where a pattern is embedded in another pattern. There is a wide range of pattern materials, up to a thousand items, which are basically categorized into animals, plants, history and customs, with animal patterns being their favorite. Huayao Cross-stitch features ingenious ideas, bold and exaggerated shapes, balanced and symmetrical layouts, and contrasting black and white space, presenting a strong visual impact. Mr. Shen Congwen, a well-known cultural heritage conservation expert in China, called it the “world-class cross-stitch”. Huayao Cross-stitch dresses have been collected by the National Art Museum of China and the National Museum of China as treasures of art. It won a bronze medal in “the Exhibition of Unique Chinese Folk Arts” organized by the Ministry of Culture in 1994, and a gold medal in “the First Exhibition of Culture Relic Imitations and Folk Artworks of China” in 2003. The Huxingshan Yao Ethnic Minority Village in Longhui County has been named “the town of culture and arts” by Hunan Provincial Department of Culture thereafter.
随着社会变革的深入和生活环境的改变，民族服饰不断被外界所同化，这一时期，许多老的挑花艺人去世，技艺传承出现断裂，同时挑花材料匮乏，制作面临困境。花瑶挑花工艺日渐式微，已到了濒危状态，亟待保护和挽救。With the deepening of social transformation and lifestyle changes, the traditional costumes of ethnic minorities continue to be assimilated by the outside world. In the meanwhile, the new generation fails to inherit this craftsmanship while many old cross-stitch artists are passing away. The production is also facing difficulties for lack of materials. All these factors are contributing to the decline of the Huayao Cross-stitch and it is declining to an endangered status and is in urgent need of protection and rescue.
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