Huayaodai Ethnic People

The Huayao Dai (花腰傣) refers to a subgroup of the Dai (傣族) people, living in the upper and middle reaches of the Red River (红河), primarily in Xinping County (新平县), Yuanjiang County (元江县), and Yuanyang County (元阳县) in Yunnan Province (云南省). Known for their elegant and ancient clothing, especially the intricate and colorful waistbands, the Huayao Dai have earned their name from the distinctive decoration of their attire. These costumes are adorned with layers of colorful ribbons and sparkling silver ornaments, including cherry tassels, silver bubbles, and silver bells.

The name “Huayao Dai” first appeared during the Qing Dynasty (清朝). The term was used to describe the Dai people in the middle reaches of the Red River, who were previously referred to as “Flower Bai Yi” (花摆夷). The Huayao Dai are distinct from other Dai groups, and their attire and cultural traditions reflect the deep roots of their ethnic identity.

Basic Information

Chinese Name

Huayao Dai (花腰傣) from the upper and middle reaches of the Red River (红河).

Distribution

Xinping County (新平县), Yuanjiang County (元江县), Yuanyang County (元阳县).

Origin

The Ancient Ailao People (古哀牢人), Ancient Dian People (古滇人).

Population

Approximately 89,200 (2010 census).

Beliefs

Primitive worship, Northern Buddhism (北传佛教), Christianity (基督教).

Nickname

“Huayao Dai” (花腰傣).

Cultural Overview

Historical Background

In the Republic of China (民国), particularly in Year 21, the Xinping County Chronicle (《新平县志·民族》) mentioned the term “Bai Yi” (摆衣), referring to the people living in the Red River basin, who were categorized into four subgroups: Sand Bai (沙摆), Dry Bai (旱摆), Flower Waist Bai (花腰摆), and Bitter Herb Flower Bai (苦菜花摆). These terms describe the different styles and customs of the Dai people, with the Huayao Dai being one of the major subgroups.

The Huayao Dai were originally referred to as “Daiya,” “Daisa,” “Daika,” and “Daizhong,” but were commonly called Huayao Dai by neighboring ethnic groups due to their distinctive clothing. After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China (中华人民共和国), the Dai people were collectively recognized as Dai, with the Huayao Dai specifically referring to those living in the Xinping and Yuanjiang areas.

Subgroup Composition

The Huayao Dai are primarily composed of three subgroups:

• Daiya (傣雅)

• Daisa (傣洒)

• Daika (傣卡)

The Huayao Dai of Xinping not only have significant cultural differences in attire from other Dai groups such as the Dai Lue (傣泐) in southern Yunnan and the Dai Na (傣那) in western Yunnan, but they also differ in religion and script. Unlike other Dai groups who follow Buddhism, the Huayao Dai of Xinping do not practice Buddhism and have no written language. They have preserved many traditional cultural practices, including the Water-Splashing Festival (泼水节), which remains a key feature of their cultural identity. The Huayao Dai still practice primitive religions, where dragon worship and spring farming rituals remain vital.

Cultural Significance

The Huayao Dai people refer to themselves as descendants of the ancient Dai who migrated southward. They believe they are the “left-behind” people, originating from the Dian Kingdom and maintaining their ethnic traditions. The Huayao Dai’s unique regional culture plays an important role in the study of the origins of the Dai people, their migration, and comparisons with other South Asian societies like Thailand (泰国), Laos (老挝), and Myanmar (缅甸). Their culture provides invaluable insight into the traditions of Southeast Asia and their lasting impact on Dai societies across these regions.

Related Festivals

Flower Street Festival (花街节), also known as the Flower Festival (赶花节) or Eastern Valentine’s Day (东方情人节), is a grand festival where young men and women from the Dai community meet, fall in love, and select their partners. One of the most romantic aspects of this festival is the ritual of “Yangluo rice” (秧萝饭), where young women (Xiao Bu Shao) prepare a special dish made from sticky rice, dried yellow eel, and salted duck eggs. The woman feeds the rice to the young man (Xiao Bu Mao) with great affection, which symbolizes their love and connection. Over time, the Flower Street Festival has evolved from a youth-oriented celebration into a larger cultural event that promotes ethnic customs, showcases the rich traditions of the Dai people, and even includes major economic and trade negotiations.

Clothing and Fashion

The Huayao Dai women’s attire is a striking reflection of their cultural heritage. Their clothing is known for its brilliant colors and elegant designs, with unique customs such as tattooing and tooth dyeing, which are inherited from the Ancient Dian Kingdom (古滇国). These customs are still practiced today. The Huayao Dai women’s ceremonial attire is made from high-quality materials, especially satin, and is decorated with exquisite embroidery and dazzling silver ornaments. Their waist is cinched with colorful ribbons, and their arms and fingers are adorned with silver bracelets and rings, creating a regal and elegant appearance. This attire is reserved for ceremonial occasions and symbolizes a life of wealth and prestige. Given the hot climate of the Yuanjiang River Valley (元江河谷), such attire is unsuitable for labor and is exclusively worn during ceremonial activities, further reinforcing the belief that the Huayao Dai are descendants of the ancient nobility of the Dian Kingdom.

As one expert put it, “The Huayao Dai clothing is wearable art, history written on the body.”

Myth and Legend

The Origin of the Ancient Dian Kingdom

The origins and fate of the Ancient Dian Kingdom (古滇王国) can only be partially traced through a legend that has been passed down among the Huayao Dai people in Yuxi (玉溪). Between the 5th century BC and the 1st century BC, a branch of the Yue People (古越人) established the powerful Ancient Dian Kingdom in central Yunnan (滇中). A colorful procession marched through the valleys, with a wooden sedan chair at the center, symbolizing the importance of the person inside. When they reached a fork in the road, they stopped to decide which path to take. Nearby, newly sprouted banana plants caught their attention. One of the attendants cut a sprout and handed it to a noble man sitting in the sedan chair. He licked the sprout and said, “They have already gone ahead.” A woman nearby, with deep wisdom, suggested, “Then, shall we stay here?” This decision to remain marked the beginning of their legacy, which continues through the Huayao Dai today.

The Tale of the First King of the Ancient Dian Kingdom

During the Nanzhao (南诏) and Dali Kingdom (大理国) periods, the Ancient Dian Kingdom was a powerful force in central Yunnan. According to historical records by Sima Qian in his Records of the Grand Historian (史记), around 339 BC, the Chu Kingdom (楚国) attempted to expand its influence into the southwest by sending General Zhuang Qiao (庄蹻) to Yunnan. However, after the Qin Dynasty (秦朝) destroyed the Ba (巴国) and Shu (蜀国) states, Zhuang Qiao lost his communication with Chu and assimilated into the local culture. He began adopting local customs, marking the historical transition of the Dian Kingdom.

After Sima Qian documented the history of the Ancient Dian Kingdom, the next major record of the Dian King (滇王) appeared in 109 BC, during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han (汉武帝), when the Han Dynasty (汉朝) conquered Dian. The Dian King surrendered and requested imperial officials. The Han Emperor granted the Dian King a royal seal, which was made of pure gold and later unearthed from Shizhaishan (石寨山) in Jinning (晋宁). Afterward, the Han Dynasty established Yizhou Prefecture (益州郡), and the power of the Dian King was replaced by local governance under the Han imperial system. The culture of the Dian people was greatly influenced by Han Chinese culture in just 100 years.

However, the story of the first Dian King, Zhuang Qiao, and the subsequent Dian Kingdom is unclear, especially in the 100-year gap before the Han Dynasty took control. During this time, there is no record of what happened to the people of the Ancient Dian Kingdom, nor how they were transformed or disappeared. The key to understanding the origins and fate of these people lies in the legends passed down among the Huayao Dai.

The legend suggests that during the Qin Dynasty‘s unification of China, the Ancient Dian Kingdom was forced to migrate south, and one of the royal families, dressed in splendid Huayao Dai clothing, chose to stay in the valley at a fork in the road. Believing they had been left behind, they decided to settle down and multiply, marking the birth of the Huayao Dai people.