Bailuo Ethnic People

The Bailuo (白倮人) people are an ethnic subgroup of the Yi (彝族) people, residing in the southeastern part of Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (文山壮族苗族自治州) in Yunnan Province. This group has a long history and culture, with no written language but a unique spoken one. Their lifestyle, including clothing, food, housing, and customs, is distinct compared to other Yi communities, making them a fascinating subject of study.

The Mysterious Bailuo Tribe of Yunnan

Nestled in the Chengzhai (城寨) area of Malipo County (麻栗坡县), Yunnan, the Bailuo people live in an ancient, remote village that has recently garnered increasing attention from various sectors of society due to its unique culture.

Unique Architecture

The entire village is built using the dry-stilt house (干栏式建筑) style, which is traditional to the Bailuo people. Even newly constructed homes maintain wooden structures, where animals such as cows are kept beneath, while people live on the upper levels, creating a distinctive architectural design.

Traditional Clothing and Craftsmanship

Bailuo clothing is handmade through a series of intricate steps, such as spinning thread, weaving fabric, applying wax, dyeing, and embroidering. It often takes 2-3 years to complete a single outfit. Unlike other wax-dyeing techniques, the Bailuo people use bamboo skewers or metal wires to apply natural beeswax to cotton fabric, and the waxing process alone can take 10 months to a year.

Language and Cultural Preservation

The Bailuo people speak a form of Yi language (彝语), which has no written script. Their culture is passed down orally through songs, historical stories, and the patterns in their clothing. They refer to themselves as “Muya Sang”, a term that maintains primitive features, and their language is minimally influenced by surrounding ethnic groups.

Religious Beliefs and Rituals

The Bailuo people practice nature worship, venerating trees such as the dragon tree (龙树) and local mountain gods. They believe in the spirits of all living things. Their totem worship revolves around the sun, which is reflected in both their architecture and clothing.

Rituals and ceremonies are overseen by a priest called the “Mogong” (摩公), who leads religious practices, such as the Qiaocai Festival (荞菜节), which honors the spirit of the qiao (荞) plant.

Customs and Traditions

Marital Customs

Marriage Rules

The Bailuo people traditionally prioritize marriage within their extended family, particularly through cross-cousin marriages (姑表亲), with the saying “marry according to the mother’s side” (跟娘走). Only when no suitable match is found within the family may one marry outside the group.

Inter-ethnic marriage is strictly prohibited. If someone marries outside the tribe, they are not allowed to return to the village.

Wedding Ceremony

The Bailuo wedding ceremony is simple and modest. There is no exchange of dowry, and the groom only needs to present a skirt and bracelet to formalize the marriage agreement. After marriage, the bride stays at her family’s home for a while, and only after becoming pregnant does she formally move in with her husband.

Divorce

In the case of divorce, a ceremony led by the village elder involves the sacrifice of a chicken, with the blood used in the ritual, and the marriage is considered dissolved after the communal meal.

Taboos

Inter-ethnic marriage is prohibited, and the practice of close-kin marriages (近亲婚配) remains common among the Bailuo people.

The cultural traditions of the Bailuo tribe are still maintained by only around 2,000 people who live primarily in Malipo County (麻栗坡) and Funing County (富宁县) in Wenshan Prefecture.

Bailuo Culture and Heritage

Despite being a small and isolated community, the Bailuo people have managed to preserve their unique traditions, from their architecture to their language, clothing, and spiritual practices. This remote village in Yunnan continues to captivate those who visit, with its distinct lifestyle and deeply rooted customs, but with a growing awareness of the outside world and changing times.

This ancient and mysterious tribe, living in harmony with nature and their customs, offers a window into an almost forgotten way of life, one that may soon vanish with the winds of time. As they begin to marry people from other ethnic groups, much of what defines their culture might be lost forever.

Population and Distribution

Total Population

The Bailuo ethnic group has a population of approximately 2,000 to 2,500 people, primarily residing in the following areas in Yunnan Province:

Chengzhai Village (城寨村), Malipo County: Approximately 411 people (94 households)

Mengmei Village (孟梅村), Funing County: The exact population is unclear, but this village is another core settlement of the Bailuo people.

Main Distribution Areas

Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province:

• Malipo County:

  • Chengzhai Village (城寨村), Donggan Township (董干镇), Xinzai Village Committee (新寨村委会): The core settlement area, where the original dry-stilt architecture and bronze drum culture are preserved.

  • Xinzai Village (新寨村): Located adjacent to Chengzhai, forming a cultural community.

• Funing County:

  • Mengmei Village (孟梅村), Mu’ang Township (木央镇): Another settlement of the Bailuo people, sharing origins with Chengzhai.

Historical Migration and Ethnic Characteristics

The Bailuo people refer to themselves as “Muya Sang” (木亚桑), and their ancestors are believed to have originated from Kunlun Mountain (昆仑山), migrating southward to settle in Wenshan. They have no written language, and their history is passed down orally through songs and patterns in their clothing.

Festivals of the Bailuo People

1. Qiaocai Festival (荞菜节) – The Core Festival

Date: The first Long Day of the Dragon in the lunar April (for 2025, this will fall on May 8th).

Location: Chengzhai Village (城寨村), Malipo County, Funing County, and other Bailuo settlements in Wenshan.

Activities:

• Rituals: Village elders host the Qiao Soul Ceremony (迎荞魂) and worship the Dragon Tree (龙树). The entire ceremony is accompanied by bronze drum music.

• Traditional Dances: Performances include Lion Dance, Stick Dance, and Qiaocai Dance. Young men and women gather around the bronze drum to perform group dances.

• Clothing Display: Participants wear wax-dyed fish scale pattern clothing, showcasing their totem worship.

• Cultural Significance: The festival commemorates the legend of buckwheat (荞麦) saving people during a famine and is a prayer for a bountiful harvest. It is listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Yunnan Province.

2. Liu Lang Festival (六郎节)

Date: Lunar June 6th (for 2025, this will fall on July 1st).

Activities: The festival is dedicated to honoring ancestors and includes song competitions, blending with the culture of the Zhuang (壮族) people.

3. Changxin Festival (尝新节)

Date: During the rice harvest season (approximately in September).

Activities: The festival includes the New Rice Ceremony, honoring ancestors, and a long street banquet to express gratitude for the harvest.

Cultural Characteristics of Bailuo Festivals

Bronze Drum Culture

The Qiaocai Festival features the Bronze Drum Dance, a national-level intangible cultural heritage. Male and female bronze drums are played together in a musical ensemble, creating an extraordinary cultural experience.

Ecological Beliefs

The Bailuo people maintain a deep ecological belief system, exemplified by the worship of the Dragon Tree and the custom of hanging bamboo tubes containing placenta (胞衣), symbolizing the concept of “people and trees living together”.

Architectural Features

Festivals are held in the dry-stilt architecture (干栏式建筑) of the village, and Chengzhai Village is regarded as “China’s most traditional village” for its preservation of ancient building techniques.

For more information on the 2025 Qiaocai Festival, you may follow the official announcements from Malipo County‘s tourism department.

Ancient Migration

The Bailuo people are believed to have originated from Kunlun Mountain (昆仑山), the “mother mountain” of China, which is regarded as the source of China’s two great rivers, the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers. Kunlun Mountain stretches from the Pamir Plateau (帕米尔高原) in the west to Qinghai Province (青海省) in the east. However, no written records exist to confirm the exact time the Bailuo people migrated from Kunlun Mountain to Wenshan. According to their oral history and ancient songs, they migrated after a great natural disaster. Their ancestors traveled for many years before eventually settling in the Guangnan (广南) basin of Wenshan and later spreading out to areas like Malipo County (麻栗坡县) and Funing County (富宁县).

The Bailuo people’s migration is thought to be driven by the pressures of war, politics, survival, and natural disasters. Their settlement in Wenshan is considered to be part of a broader movement of indigenous peoples seeking to live in warmer, more fertile regions. Experts in ethnology and folklore believe that the Bailuo people settled in Chengzhai Village (城寨村) during the Yuan Dynasty (元朝), making it over 1,000 years since their settlement in the area.

Some experts speculate that Chengzhai Village could be the oldest Bailuo settlement in the world. Its preserved ancient attire, unique customs, and traditional dry-stilt architecture (干栏式建筑) have added an air of mystery to the Bailuo people’s culture.

Cannibalism Custom

One of the most fascinating and controversial traditions of the Bailuo people was their practice of cannibalism. This custom was performed in times of great loss or death, where the village would divide and eat the flesh of deceased elders. The custom, however, was changed after a significant event in the life of two siblings, Li Yiyao and Li Manniang.

The Origin of the Change

According to an ancient legend, the Bailuo people would eat the flesh of their deceased elders. One day, Li Manniang took a pregnant cow to graze by the river, and witnessed the painful birth of a calf. This sight made her reflect on the pain that her parents must have gone through when they gave birth to her. She thought about the deep love her parents had for her and could not fathom eating their flesh once they passed away.

Returning home, she shared her thoughts with her brother Li Yiyao, who agreed with her. They decided to dry and preserve the flesh of the deceased elders by hanging it in the rafters of their house, so when their own parents died, they could return the favor and offer dried meat to the other villagers instead of eating their parents’ flesh.

Years later, Li Manniang’s house was filled with preserved meat, and this new custom was shared with the village. Eventually, the Dragon King (龙王) was so moved by this change that he sent a proposal for Li Manniang to marry his son, Kong Yizheng (孔一政).

The Final Resolution

Years later, when Li Manniang’s parents passed away, the village gathered, knives in hand, ready to partake in the ritual of eating the flesh of the deceased. Li Yiyao addressed the crowd and argued that it was unreasonable to eat the flesh of their parents, as they had worked hard to raise them. Instead, he offered to sacrifice a yellow bull and provide the meat for the villagers, changing the custom forever.

After slaughtering the bull, the villagers were satisfied, and Li Manniang and her husband Kong Yizheng led the Bronze Drum Dance (铜鼓舞) to celebrate the resolution of the conflict. Since then, the practice of eating human flesh was abandoned by the Bailuo people.

The Transformation of the Tradition

From then on, the Bailuo people began to sacrifice a bull upon the death of an elder, and after the meal, they would joyfully perform the Bronze Drum Dance, which has since become a traditional custom, along with the Lion Dance and other performances, during festivals and special occasions.

The Qiaocai Festival: A Celebration of Survival and Gratitude

The Qiaocai Festival, also known locally as the “Qiaocai Year” (过荞年), is the most elaborate and joyous festival of the Bailuo people. It is celebrated with ceremonies, rituals, and traditional dances to honor the harvest and the ancestors. During the festival, the Bailuo slaughter chickens and cattle for sacrificial offerings, calling the spirit of Qiaocai (荞菜, buckwheat) back to the community to share in the blessings with their ancestors. Dressed in their finest clothes, men, women, and children gather under the village’s Dragon Tree (龙树) to dance to the rhythm of ancient copper drums (铜鼓). The festivities include dances like the Lion Dance (狮子舞) and Cane Dance (棍棒舞), where everyone participates in celebrating the bounty of life.

The Origin of the Qiaocai Festival

The Qiaocai Festival traces its roots to an ancient legend passed down through generations. According to the Bailuo people’s “Gu Ge” (古歌, ancient song), the Bailuo are believed to have descended from the heavens, bringing with them customs, traditions, and various objects from the celestial realm. Life was abundant, much like in the heavens, until one spring when a great drought struck, and a massive fire ravaged their village. The wooden houses, tightly clustered together, were quickly consumed by the flames. The village was left in ruins, with food supplies destroyed, plunging the Bailuo people into despair.

The Miraculous Discovery of Buckwheat Seeds

In their darkest hour, while clearing the ruins, a villager discovered a small bowl overturned on the ground, under which were undamaged buckwheat seeds. These seeds, considered a divine gift, were carefully planted in the fields. In no time, the buckwheat sprouted, grew rapidly, and provided a plentiful harvest. The Bailuo people used these seeds to replant and ensure their survival, and they saw it as a miracle that allowed them to overcome their hardships.

Gratitude and Celebration

As the Bailuo began to thrive once again, the entire village rejoiced. The people donned new clothes, brought out the ancient copper drums, and celebrated with joyful dancing and singing to express their happiness and gratitude for the harvest and for the future. They decided that the Qiaocai Festival should be observed annually in gratitude for the miracle of the buckwheat that saved their lives.

The Evolution of the Qiaocai Festival

In the following year, as the new buckwheat plants bloomed, the village elders gathered and agreed that the Qiaocai Festival should be held on the first Dragon Day of the fourth lunar month as a way to honor the buckwheat and to pray for good weather, abundant harvests, and a prosperous future. The festival gradually evolved to include rituals for honoring the ancestors, ensuring spiritual well-being, and celebrating the community’s strength and unity.

Thus, the Qiaocai Festival has become one of the Bailuo people’s most important cultural events, symbolizing their enduring connection to the land, their ancestors, and the miraculous events that have shaped their survival.

Language and Oral Tradition

The Bailuo people (白倮人) do not have a written language. For centuries, they have relied on oral traditions and visual communication to pass down information. Visual communication is primarily achieved through clothing, while oral traditions include a broad range of forms, from everyday speech to traditional forms of artistic communication.

Oral Traditions and the “Gu Ge”

The Bailuo people have a rich oral culture that includes myths, legends, folk tales, proverbs, riddles, ballads, and epics. These stories are passed down through generations, with each holiday or event often having its own accompanying tale. These oral traditions are deeply woven into daily life, reflecting the community’s worldview, customs, and values.

The “Gu Ge” (古歌, ancient songs) are an essential part of the Bailuo people’s cultural transmission. According to village elders, the “Gu Ge” could take nine days and nights to sing in their entirety, as they encompass the entire history and cultural phenomena of the Bailuo people. Traditionally, songs like the “Ox Song” (牛歌) were sung while farming, and the “Wine Song” (酒歌) was sung during social gatherings. However, due to the influence of outside cultures, many of the traditional songs have been lost, and only a few elderly people still remember the tunes. For the younger generation, popular music has replaced the old melodies.

Additionally, it is said that while “Gu Ge” could be sung by anyone, regardless of age or gender, there was a seasonal requirement. These songs could only be sung after the “Tasting New Rice Festival” (农历八月第一个龙日尝新节), which occurs in the eighth month of the lunar calendar. As a result, very few outsiders have had the chance to hear the complete “Gu Ge”.

Bailuo Ethnic Dances

The Bailuo people live in remote mountain forests, often referred to by scholars as a “primitive tribe” and by visitors as a “hidden paradise.” The Bailuo celebrate their connection to nature and their ancestors through various traditional dances, each tied to a specific season or festival.

Traditional Dances and the Qiaocai Festival

The Qiaocai Festival (荞菜节) is the most important event of the year for the Bailuo people. It is a celebration where humans and gods come together to pray for good weather and a bountiful harvest. Dancing is one of the central elements of the festival, with Copper Drum Dance (铜鼓舞) being the most prominent among them.

The festival begins on the first Dragon Day (龙日) of the fourth lunar month and lasts for three days. During the festival, the Bailuo people slaughter chickens and cattle, prepare lavish meals to honor the spirits, and dress in their finest clothes. Everyone gathers under the village’s Dragon Tree (龙树) to celebrate. Elders perform rituals for their ancestors, while the younger generation plays large, heavy copper drums, creating a powerful, rhythmic beat. The women dance joyfully to the beats, performing dances like the Qiaocai Dance (荞菜舞), Copper Drum Dance, Joyful Wedding Dance (喜亲舞), and Bamboo Pole Dance (竹竿舞).

The Copper Drum Dance: A Tradition of Elegance and Power

The Copper Drum Dance holds particular significance, originating from Bailuo funeral rites. The most ancient drums are paired in male and female sets. The male drum stands at 45 cm high, with a diameter of 50 cm and weighing about 40 kg, producing a loud and bright sound. The female drum is slightly larger, measuring 45 cm high, 57 cm in diameter, and weighing approximately 60 kg, with a deeper and more resonant sound. The drum faces feature a sunburst pattern, and the body is divided into three sections: waist, chest, and feet. The patterns on the drum form concentric circles, and the drum itself is hollow, without a bottom.

During the Copper Drum Dance, one person beats the drum while others dance in a circle, moving counterclockwise to the rhythm. The dance follows over thirty different movements, each repeated several times, creating a flowing and dynamic performance. The ancient and powerful drum sounds, paired with the clear jingling of silver bells on the dancers’ headscarves, create a mesmerizing atmosphere. The synchronized movements of the dancers, with graceful and fluid steps, evoke a sense of timelessness, transporting the audience back to the ancient past.

In October 1999, the Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (文山壮族苗族自治州) Ethnic Song and Dance Troupe used the Bailuo’s Copper Drum Dance as the basis for a performance called “Striking the Copper Drum”, which was presented as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in the capital city of Beijing, creating a sensation. In October 2009, the Wanxia Art Troupe from Malipo County (麻栗坡县) performed a dance called “Copper Drum Long Umbrella Dance” at the International Seoul Cup Music and Dance Competition in South Korea, winning an international gold award.

These dances are an essential part of the Bailuo people’s cultural identity, reflecting centuries of traditions, rituals, and community life. The performances, rich in symbolism, are not just a form of entertainment but a way of honoring their history and maintaining connections with their ancestors.

Marriage Customs

The Bailuo people (白倮人), who live in isolated mountain villages, do not intermarry with other ethnic groups. This custom is said to have originated from their history of migration, during which they faced numerous invasions and wars with other ethnic groups. As a result, they rejected intermarriage to maintain their cultural integrity and preserve their traditions.

Arranged Marriages and Traditional Practices

When a Bailuo girl is born, she is first promised in marriage to a boy from her maternal side of the family (uncle’s, aunt’s, or mother’s side). This custom, known as “following the mother’s side” (跟娘走), continues until the girl’s cousins have all found partners. Only then can she marry someone outside her family.

At the age when men and women are ready to marry, the village elders perform a chicken sacrifice to determine the best “eight characters” and auspicious date for the wedding. Bailuo marriages are quite simple. There is no grand wedding ceremony or banquet, and no dowry is exchanged. The groom merely makes a skirt and a bracelet for the bride, then invites her to his home, at which point the marriage is considered official.

After the marriage, the bride stays with her family for a few days but continues to visit her husband’s family. Once the bride is pregnant, she officially moves in with the husband. If the couple wishes to divorce, it is an equally simple process. The elders are invited to a tree, where a chicken is sacrificed. The blood is smeared on the hands of both the man and the woman, and after they share the chicken, the marriage is officially dissolved.

Staying in the Village After Marriage

Although many Bailuo people migrate for work or education, they must return to their village to marry. If they marry someone from outside the ethnic group or from another region, they are no longer allowed to return to their village. Even if others do not criticize them, they will find it difficult to remain in the village. However, despite the simplicity of their marriage system, Bailuo people have a very low divorce rate.

Inbreeding and Intelligence

Although there is concern about close marriages among the Bailuo due to the limited selection of marriage partners, there have been no instances of intellectual deficiencies among their children. The children are healthy, clever, and well-liked, leaving scientists puzzled as to why this phenomenon occurs despite the high rate of consanguinity.

Traditional Clothing

The Bailuo women (白倮妇女) and girls spend much of their leisure time creating intricate embroidery. They gather at the balconies of their traditional wooden houses or in the shaded areas outside, using needle and thread to decorate fabric with melted wax. This traditional textile art creates beautiful scenes that resemble ancient paintings in the sunlight.

The Process of Clothing Making

The Bailuo people make their clothes using an extensive, handcrafted process. This includes growing cotton, picking it, spinning it into thread, boiling, washing, dyeing, drying, and weaving it into fabric. Each garment is meticulously crafted by hand, and the process takes a woman almost an entire year to complete.

Symbolic Patterns in Clothing

The clothing of Bailuo people features various symbolic patterns. For women, these patterns represent different stages of life and marital status. The patterns include:

Grandmother’s generation: Dragon motifs (镶龙纹)

Parents’ generation: X and S shapes (绣X、S形)

Unmarried women: S-shaped red thread patterns on their skirts

Young girls: Dresses adorned with circular, triangular, square, and diamond patterns.

For men, the attire is simpler. They wear a one- to two-meter long headscarf, often in black and white stripes arranged in a grid pattern. The shirts are plain, typically in black, white, and blue colors. Though simple, these patterns represent elements of nature, such as the stars, sun, moon, rivers, and buckwheat.

Clothing Styles by Age and Occasion

The Bailuo men’s clothing style varies by age. Young children wear black, collarless tunics, while teenagers wear slightly patterned tunics. As men mature, their clothing becomes more complex. On holidays, they wear shirts adorned with sun patterns, featuring a black base with blue and white floral decorations. These shirts are worn in layers, with the sleeves positioned at specific points: the first at the armpit, the second just below the elbow, and the third at the wrist. Silver buttons decorate the chest, and a belt with square patterns and small flowers is worn around the waist. The head is crowned with a bucket-shaped checkered hat.

Connection with Nature

The Bailuo people hold a deep reverence for nature, and this is reflected in their clothing. Their life is intricately connected to nature, and they embody the ancient principles of balance between humans and the natural world. Though they may not be highly educated, the Bailuo people understand the concept of harmony between heaven and earth.

A Culture of Beauty

The Bailuo people are a community that values beauty. A family’s appearance, how well they dress, and their overall radiance are considered signs of the women’s intelligence and ability to manage the household. From the age of five or six, Bailuo girls are taught embroidery and other needlework skills by their mothers. Most Bailuo people are skilled artisans, and their craftsmanship is evident in the sturdy, minimalist architecture and the delicate, elegant clothing that reflects the refinement and gentleness of the women.

Traditional Architecture

The Bailuo village (白倮村) is nestled in a valley, surrounded by towering mountains and dense ancient forests, making it a hidden gem in nature. To reach the village, visitors walk along moss-covered stone paths, pass through a mysterious ancient gate, and follow a shaded stone trail before entering the mystical settlement.

The village is camouflaged in the forest, with wooden houses—one-story, elevated structures—partially visible among the dense trees. These buildings are Bailuo people’s unique pole-and-rail wooden houses (杆栏式木楼), which differ from the bamboo houses of the Dai people or the homes of other ethnic groups.

Architecture Features

The Bailuo people’s homes are built with a typical pole-and-rail structure, where the upper floor is used for living, and the lower floor is used to house livestock. The houses have small windows, and upon ascending the central staircase, one finds the house divided into two main sections. The outer room serves as the living room, while the inner room is primarily for sleeping.

A distinctive feature of the Bailuo people’s homes is the fire pit (火塘) in the living room. Made of mud, the fire pit remains lit throughout the year, providing warmth and a place to cook. Simple stones or iron tripods support the cooking pot, and in the evenings, families sleep on the floor next to the fire pit, rolling up their bedding each morning.

The Bailuo people believe their ancestors were not ordinary humans, but celestial birds that flew down from the heavens. To honor their ancestors, they build flying eaves on either side of their homes, symbolizing the wings of these divine birds. These flying eaves resemble the wings of small birds and are a unique architectural element in the Bailuo homes.

Though the houses are simple in appearance, they carry numerous symbolic meanings. The Bailuo wooden houses are supported by 56 or 66 wooden pillars, with each house crafted entirely from wood—no clay or brick walls are used. The lower level, which is open, serves as a space for livestock, poultry, and storage.

Construction Techniques

What makes these buildings truly unique is that the Bailuo people’s master craftsmen only use an axe during the construction process. No saws, chisels, or planers are involved. The craftsmen carve the wood into beams, planks, and joints, which interlock with precision. They also carve decorative corridors and walkways, creating an incredibly fine piece of work.

The pole-and-rail style of architecture is believed to have originated during the Hemudu Culture (河姆渡文化) over 10,000 years ago. This style has disappeared in most parts of China, but it has been preserved by the Bailuo people over generations. The village artisans work without monetary compensation; whenever a house is being built, the villagers help out, and the homeowner offers a chicken and a few meals as thanks.

Totem Worship

The Bailuo people have a deep, religious-like reverence for trees. They believe that trees have souls and are closely connected to their past, present, and future. After a baby is born, the Bailuo people tie the afterbirth in a bamboo tube and hang it on a tree, symbolizing the child’s lifelong connection to the tree. For the elderly, they choose a “sacred tree” (灵树) to serve as a resting place for their spirit after death.

Sacred Trees and the Preservation of Nature

The area around the village is filled with ancient trees, particularly Beech trees (榉树), locally known as Lang trees (榔树). These trees are revered and protected by the community. The slow-growing and durable nature of the Lang trees makes them highly valuable. The phrase “A thousand-year-old house, a ten-thousand-year-old Lang tree” reflects the tree’s importance in their culture. Today, Lang trees are protected under national conservation laws. Cutting one down can result in up to six years of imprisonment.

In the village and surrounding mountains, there are thousands of ancient Lang trees, some of which are over 500 years old. These trees not only provide a lush green landscape for the Bailuo but also offer a spiritual connection to the community. The Bailuo people follow the ancient tradition of not cutting down any trees in their village or surrounding areas. Even when trees die, they leave them to decompose naturally, returning to the earth.

Beliefs in the Sacredness of Trees

The Bailuo people’s connection to trees is rooted in their belief that nature must be preserved. They have passed down customs through generations, including the prohibition on cutting trees within their village. Even for building houses, the Bailuo prefer to purchase wood from outside their village rather than cutting down their own trees. This respect for nature reflects their deep spiritual and cultural values.

Bailuo Traditions and Customs

Food and Festivals

The Bailuo people’s daily life and celebrations are marked by unique customs. They cook using three stones to support a pot, and during festivals, they prepare colored glutinous rice (染色糯米饭), with the color of the rice changing depending on the holiday. For example, they dye the rice blue and colorful for the New Year and yellow for the Qiao Cai Festival (荞菜节).

The Qiao Cai Festival, which occurs on the first Dragon Day of the lunar fourth month, is one of the most important traditional celebrations for the Bailuo. This festival is dedicated to seeking good weather and a bountiful harvest. During the festival, Bailuo people dance various traditional dances, including the Qiao Cai Dance (荞菜舞), the New House Dance (进新房舞), and the Moon Dance (月亮舞). There are also dances for funerals, such as the Copper Drum Dance (铜鼓舞) and the Three Hu Dance (三胡舞).

Music and Dance

The Bailuo people love to sing and dance. They have songs for various occasions, including farming, drinking, and festivals. During the Qiao Cai Festival, they perform the Qiao Cai Dance and during funerals, they perform the Copper Drum Dance. These dances and songs are integral to their cultural identity, reflecting their connection to both the past and the natural world around them.

Handicrafts and Textiles

The Bailuo women are skilled in traditional textile arts. They spin, weave, and dye fabric, and the clothing is carefully embroidered with intricate designs. The process of making a complete outfit can take up to three years. The young women of the village learn these skills from their mothers from a young age, and the most beautiful clothes are highly praised by the community. The Bailuo people’s textile arts are an essential part of their culture and are a symbol of their craftsmanship and attention to detail.