Chashan is A Branch of Jingpo Ethnic Minority

The Chashan people (茶山人) are a sub-group of the Jingpo ethnic group (景颇族), primarily residing in Pianma Town (片马镇) of Lushui County (泸水县), Nujiang Prefecture (怒江). The Chashan people mainly live in the villages of Pianma, Gulang, and Gangfang, with a population of around 200 individuals.

Language Characteristics

The Chashan people speak Chashan language, which is part of the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. This language lacks a written form, and the people do not use the Jingpo script. However, Chashan language remains the primary means of communication among the community.

Cultural Characteristics

The Chashan people are known for their hardworking and simple lifestyle. They are also skilled in singing and dancing, preserving unique cultural traditions such as distinctive clothing, food, religious practices, and marriage and funeral customs.

Cultural Features of the Chashan People

Traditional Festivals

New Rice Festival (Gusaizuo): Celebrated in the 10th lunar month, this festival involves the worship of the rice spirits and ancestors, followed by a shared meal of new rice. It includes the Muna Zongge dance, a traditional Jingpo circle dance.

Song and Dance Performances: The Chashan people perform traditional dances, such as knife dances for men and fan dances for women, which reflect their artistic traditions.

History and Beliefs

The Chashan people played a role in the modern anti-British struggle (the Pianma Incident), with historical relics such as crossbows and gunpowder rifles still preserved.

They follow a nature worship belief system, revering the rice spirits, water sources, and incorporating ancestor worship, forming a unique religious worldview.

Modern Development

Cultural Preservation

Efforts to preserve the Chashan language have included field surveys and academic publications, such as the “Pianma Chashan Language Reference Grammar”, which document the language and culture.

Integration with Tourism

Pianma Town (片马镇) integrates its ethnic culture with border tourism, promoting sites such as the Pianma Anti-British Memorial Hall and ethnic villages. The Chashan people’s cultural heritage is actively showcased to visitors.

Note: The Chashan people share a cultural and linguistic connection with the Chashan people of Kachin State, Myanmar, with whom they share a similar language and cultural traits. This border-crossing community has influenced the unique development of their culture.

Historical Background and Migration

Origins of the Chashan People

The Chashan people are one of the smaller sub-groups within the Jingpo ethnic group. They have lived in Pianma Town (片马镇) for over a thousand years. Historically, they are linked to the ancient Jingpo ancestors, as referenced in Tang Dynasty (唐代) inscriptions, such as the “Dehua Stele” (南诏德化碑).

According to historical records, the Chashan people were originally from the Lushui River Valley and have migrated southward through various regions in the Nujiang (怒江) and Irrawaddy (伊洛瓦底江) river systems.

Separation from the Main Jingpo Group

While the Jingpo people (景颇族) as a whole mainly inhabit the Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (德宏傣族景颇族自治州), the Chashan people, during their migration, became somewhat isolated in the Pianma region (片马地区), where they formed a unique cultural identity.

Their language, culture, and customs began to diverge from the main Jingpo group, with the Chashan people forming a distinct sub-group. Their language has become an isolated linguistic island, with many new features and unique elements that differentiate them from other Jingpo sub-groups.

Cultural Identity

The Chashan people maintain their cultural and linguistic heritage as an independent branch of the Jingpo ethnic group. Despite being geographically isolated, they have retained a strong sense of identity, which is celebrated through their traditional festivals, rituals, and social gatherings.

Demographics and Community Distribution

The total population of Pianma Town (片马镇) is approximately 1,769 (as of 2008). The Chashan people represent the second-largest group in the area, with 587 individuals. The town is a multi-ethnic region, also home to the Lisu (傈僳), Han (汉), Bai (白), and Nushi (怒族) ethnic groups.

The Chashan people’s long-standing presence in Pianma Town (片马镇) is marked by their historical connection to the Tang Dynasty and their shared linguistic and cultural ties with other Jingpo sub-groups.