Ge Fei Hechi Riding on the songs of Liu Sanjie

Author: Yang Li
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-11-01
Features: As time flows, the story of the singing immortal Liu Sanjie continues to be cherished by people. Where is Liu Sanjie? How is her hometown? Authors Yang Li and Li Yan embarked on a long journey, delving deep into the Kechi region three times to document the landscape and customs of Liu Sanjie's homeland with their pens and cameras. Liu Sanjie's hometown is lush and beautiful, with the Xizhi River in Yizhou said to be the legendary birthplace of Liu Sanjie. There are many remnants of Liu Sanjie here: an axe handle stuck in a cliff where she chopped wood, a white handkerchief hanging down, and a singing platform on the Kexi bank where she once sang. Especially in Liuchu Village, visitors can personally experience the warmth of the Zhuang girls and their singing and dancing talents.
Beyond Yizhou, the authors depict the unique landscapes of Luocheng, Huaijiang, Nandan, Tian'e, Fengshan, Bama, and Dahu. The scenic views of Xiaohuaijiang, Yayi River, Boliu River, Chuanlong River, Hongshui River, and Panyang River, as well as the customs of the various ethnic groups living along the rivers—Zhuang, Fan Yao, White trouser Yao, Mulao, and Maonan—make the reader feel as if they are there. In the authors' words, one seems to see the charm of Panyang River: "It sings joyfully through the mountains and fields, with fields of rice bending in laughter under the abundant irrigation of Panyang River. Occasionally, towering cornfields stand proudly by the river, swaying with the wind as the river roars. Rice, corn, sweet potatoes, and beans all find their perfect soil here, painting a long scroll of the scenery by Panyang River."
The White trouser Yao is one of the most well-preserved and distinctive ethnic groups in the Kechi region. The authors observe their customs in meticulous detail, vividly describing their clothing, housing, marriage customs, funerals, folk songs, Yao villages, and the ordinary stories of ordinary people, presenting readers with a uniquely charming picture that leaves one yearning. I was moved by many descriptions in the book—it is a travelogue, but also filled with the authors' reflections. I hope she can observe life more deeply and write even more wonderful works. This is our common wish.