Ganlan Ba
CCTV.COM (07.21 2003 17:43)
As the popular saying goes: No trip to Xishuangbanna is complete without a visit to Ganlanba, supposedly the most beautiful part of Xishuangbanna.
Situated at 27,000 meters down the Lancang River from Jinghong, and covering an area of 50 square kilometers at the lowest point of Xishuangbanna, Ganlan Ba is home to over 60 Dai-inhabited villages.
Bamboo and wood structure abodes gleam in the verdure of coconut trees, with flowers in full bloom all year round. In every village there is a Buddhist temple glistening in the sun.
A few of the villages have been developed into scenic spots, where you can get to experience Dai style daily life first-hand.
Comparing to other ethnic minorities in Xishuangbanna, Dai is of greater culture distinction and integrity thanks to its own language. The current Daile language was created over 1000 years ago and has a close relationship with the infiltration of Hinayana Buddhism in the region. In the past, Buddhist scriptures were inscribed on Beiye, tree leaves of an indigenous tropical plant. Historically, only men were able to study the written language in Buddhist temples. The written language has thus been passing down from thousand years ago through Beiye scripture.
It's common to spot old-style spinning wheels in Dai villages. Elder women are very skillful at the traditional spinning and weaving. Instead of cotton, people here spin the fruits from Kapok trees into yarn. Nowadays, like in most other scenic spots, old-style spinning is more of a show without any practical purpose.
Dai is a very business-oriented people, and they are the wealthiest among all other minority groups in Xishuangbanna. Just in two villages I visited in Ganlanba, at least four or five families were building new houses or had just completed building.
Dai style dwelling is famous in the world for its practical yet artistic design. A typical Dai house consists of two levels, lower level for feeding livestock, upper level being the living quarter for the family. The structure can supposedly fend off wild animals and keep from getting drowned during rainy season.
Building a new house is a big deal for everybody, maybe more so for Dai people. Once the construction is completed, the family will invite scholars and monks in the village to host a religious ceremony in the new house.
Monks will chant scriptures for hours. Bless the owners of the house, spray holy water to each and every corner of the house, assuring the family that it's safe and sound to move in.
Want to look as pretty as Dai girls? No problem! Go to the tailor store at Ganlanba; pick out your favorite color, fabric, and style. You can have a gorgeous Dai costume specially made for you in couple hours, and it doesn't cost that much. Dai women love to dress up in bright colors such as pink, yellow, blue, and purple.
Dai people love to celebrate great moments in their lives with big parties. A typical Dai feast goes on and on as long as guests keep showing up.
An interesting custom of the hospitable Dai is that once they notice an empty bowl, they will immediately fill it up. So in the end of party, every bowl is still full of delicious food.
Dai cuisine is refreshingly tasty using many tropical spices such as green lemon and mint leaves. Yet some of the dishes are not for wimps.
Even without venturing into raw food territories, there is still plenty delicious cuisine to please your tasting buds.
Speaking of Dai people, the first image popping up in most people's minds would be the water-splashing festival. It is a traditional festival for the Dai people to send off the old and greet the new. (Also known as the Festival for bathing Buddha,) it is related to the Buddhist legend of dragon sprinkling fragrant showers on Lord Buddha at his birth.
If you don't happen to visit Xishuangbanna on the Dai New Year, there's still chance to experience the hysterical water-splashing activity at the Ganlanba Dai folk culture park.
Still doubtful? Jump in and join the crowds! You'll know what a huge relief it is for your pent-up anxiety and energy.
Editor:Han Ling
