Source: CCTV.com

05-14-2007 16:02

Special Report:   Cultural Heritage Day

If you have seen the film "Huayao Bride in Shangrila", you may remember the fabulous belt which is a special totem for the "Ni Su" people from Yunnan's Yi ethnic group. It's something that literally holds together their lives.

"With colored silk threads you embroider your cloth,

With embroidered cloth you make your new "Huayao" belt.

With your new "Huayao" belt you catch your new love."

"Ni Su" people use singing to recall their history and express their feelings of love. The "Huayao" belt is linked to the girls' pursuit of love and life, as they give it to their bridegrooms.

In the "Huayao Bride in Shangrila", two lovers quarrel during a village festival. The "Huayao" is returned meaning the engagement is off. The movie has a happy ending as they are brought back together. "Tying the knot" it seems, is a universal theme.

April and May in this forest village are the busiest months for planting. All the villagers, men and women, young and old all work on the terraces. Only when the day ends do they have time to chat, and the girls can start making the "Huayao" for their favorite boys.

Of all the branches of Yi ethnic group, the Ni Su are especially famous for their clothing and particularly the "Huayao". The more complicated the design, the clever the girl.

The boys and girls like to sing and dance when they have free time. The sophisticated dance has more than 70 steps. Anyone can join in at any time.

Ni Su people are very serious about marriage. And passing affections can never last unless the girl sends a "Huayao", the keepsake of love.

 

Editor:Chen Ge