Yunnan Ethnic Minority Image Library -·

Author: Compiled by the Editorial Committee of "Yunnan Ethnic Minority Album," edited by Zhou Wenlin
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-12-01
Features: The () is a unique ethnic group in Yunnan, primarily distributed in Yun County, Zhenkang County, Yongde County, Shuangjiang Lahu and Wa Autonomous County, and Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County in the Lincang region, as well as Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, Mojiang Hani Autonomous County, and Jindong Yi Autonomous County in the Simao region, and Menghai County in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture. The total population exceeds 82,000. The reside in subtropical hilly areas with a climate suitable for growing dry crops as their main staple food. During the Tang Dynasty, they were referred to as "Puzi Man," during the Yuan Dynasty as "Pu people," and during the Ming and Qing Dynasties as "Poman" and "Baoman," among other phonetically similar ethnic names. The do not have their own script but have their own language, which belongs to the Mon-Khmer branch of the Austroasiatic language family, divided into two dialects: () and Wu (). The religious beliefs of the are divided into two forms: ancestor worship and belief in ghosts and gods, as well as Theravada Buddhism influenced by the Dai people. The dress simply, with both men and women preferring blue and black clothing. Women's attire resembles that of the Dai people, wearing tight-fitting short tops, twisting their hair into a bun at the top of their heads, wrapping their heads with scarves, and enjoying wearing large earrings, silver bracelets, and other ornaments. Girls love wearing wild flowers or colorful flowers they have woven themselves, applying red dye to their cheeks. Men typically wear black or blue loose-fitting long pants and open-fronted, collarless tops, wrapped with scarves. Adult men enjoy tattooing. Both men and women enjoy drinking, teeth-staining, and smoking. villages are usually inhabited by three to five or dozens of clans with the same bloodline. Most houses are two-story bamboo structures, with the lower floor used for storing miscellaneous items and the upper floor for living. A hearth is placed in the center of the house, serving as a dining area for the family and a place to entertain guests, while beds are arranged around the hearth at night. The have names but no surnames; men are often referred to as "Ai XX," and women as "Yi XX." The practice of naming children after their mothers, still prevalent in, is a relic of matrilineal clan society. The way young people court is poetic: if a young man falls in love with a girl, he picks fresh flowers to give her. If the girl is interested, she places the flowers on her scarf. If she receives flowers from multiple suitors, she puts them in a bamboo pouch and, once she decides whom to marry, wears the flowers in front of him. On the wedding day, the groom gathers flowers to adorn the new home, making it vibrant and fragrant, turning it into a beautiful flower room. "Songkran Festival" () is the most important festival of the, celebrated about ten days after the Qingming Festival. The generally follow Buddhism, and during the festival, there are many Buddhist activities. People not only hold ceremonies to welcome the sun but also gather at temples to participate in activities such as sand stacking, Buddha bathing, and water splashing. Additionally, there are tournaments of () and dance competitions, which are largely similar to those of the Dai people.