Ethnic Yi people

CCTV.COM (07.10 2003 16:03)

    As a tradition to welcome friends from outside, villagers dress in colorful custom clothes, dancing and singing to a particular music rhythm. A beautiful girl selected from the group will respectfully present home made drinks to the guests, making it impossible to refuse, be careful though, as one set of three cups contains strong liquor that tastes like jet fuel.

    On walking up from the main gate, you will pass over a swing bridge, which will bring you to the spot where the tradition of weaving bags, rugs and richly colored clothes still thrives. Beyond is a succession of villages belonging to the combination of Yi and Mandarin community. While most of the inhabitants of the villagers near road are well used to visitors and foreigners, their way of life continues much as it always has.

    Some of the crafts most often associated with tourists are hanging fragrance bag, traditional colorful clothing and hand sewed materials with typical ethnic patterns. Local villagers present these items to their so-called 'favorite guest' to show off their traditional techniques.

    Every girl in Yi family starts her sewing lesson from the age seven, and continues to practice right up until the preparation of her own wedding dress.

    Ethnic Yi people created their own calendar 2,000 years ago. The unique calendar is made up of total of 10 months and every month is made up of 36 days. This allows the Yi communities to have five days as common holiday at the end of each year when they spend their time celebrating and socializing.

    Within the particular location of calendar monuments, there are a total of eight symbolic columns created; these individually represent the beginning and end of four seasons.

    Only the elder master can identify the date by examining the sun position and the shadow of each column.

Editor:Han Ling