Geographical Distribution of Taliu Ethnic People

The Taliu people, an ethnic group of the Yi nationality, primarily reside in Yongsheng County (永胜县), Lijiang City (丽江市), Yunnan, with their most concentrated population in the villages of Shuanghe, Yingshan, and Yushui within Liude Yi and Lisu Ethnic Township (六德彝族傈僳族乡). The Taliu people are known for their rich cultural traditions, including unique festivals, such as the Baba Festival (粑粑节), and distinctive practices like the Youth Shelter Marriage Custom (青春棚婚俗). Their economic activities include tobacco cultivation and animal husbandry, with growing efforts to promote cultural tourism. The Taliu people also maintain traditional handicrafts, such as Huocao Textile Art (火草纺织技艺), which are considered intangible cultural heritage.

The Taliu’s historical roots date back to the Ming Dynasty, and they have a close connection to the Ancient Tea Horse Road. In recent years, efforts have been made to protect and preserve their cultural heritage through tourism development and the promotion of their unique industries, including the Taliu Black-Bone Chicken (他留乌骨鸡) and Huocao Hemp (火草麻布). Despite facing challenges such as the outflow of young adults, the Taliu people remain committed to maintaining their rich cultural identity in the modern era.

Distribution and Cultural Overview of the Taliu Ethnic Group in Yunnan

1. Core Distribution and Population Data

Main Settlements

Yongsheng County (永胜县), Lijiang City (丽江市): The Taliu people are mainly concentrated in Liude Yi and Lisu Ethnic Township (六德彝族傈僳族乡), specifically in the villages of Shuanghe, Yingshan, and Yushui, collectively known as “Taliu Mountain.” The total population is around 5,000, making up over 95% of the Taliu population in Yunnan.

Other Areas:

There is no significant distribution outside of Yongsheng County, with only small scattered populations in other parts of Lijiang, though no statistical data supports this.

2. Population Statistics

Total Population: Approximately 5,000, all concentrated in Yongsheng County, Yunnan.

Village Distribution:

3. Taliu Villages in Yunnan

Liude Lisu Yi Township (六德傈僳族彝族乡), Yongsheng County:

Core Area: The Taliu people primarily reside in Shuanghe, Yingshan, and Yushui villages, with a population of 4,397 people in total, making up 31% of the township’s total population.

Historical Background: Formed through the merging of descendants of military and civilian personnel from the Ming Dynasty “Hongwu Military Relocation” and indigenous people. The area is an important station on the Ancient Tea Horse Road.

Renhe Town (仁和镇), Yongsheng County:

Taliu Village: Located under the Dahong Village Committee (打红村委会), with 20 households and 74 people. The primary industry is tobacco cultivation, and traditional housing and agricultural culture are well preserved.

Special Administrative Units:

Taliu Cultural Ecological Protection Area: Shuanghe Village has been designated as a provincial cultural protection zone, which includes traditional homes and cultural practices like the Youth Shelter Marriage Custom (青春棚婚俗).

4. Notable Villages and Sites

Shuanghe Village (双河村), Liude Township:

Cultural Significance: Known as the site of the National Taliu Stele Forest (他留碑林), with over 6,000 ancient tombs dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is home to the Baba Festival (粑粑节) and the Youth Shelter Marriage Custom, both of which are representative of intangible cultural heritage.

Economic Transformation: Known as a tobacco-growing demonstration area, with a revenue of 2.45 million CNY from tobacco in 2023.

Yingshan Village (营山村), Liude Township:

Archaeological Site: The ancient Taliu Castle Site (他留古城堡遗址) and the Wan Zuo Ancient Tomb Group (万座古墓群), with tombs belonging to the Cheng, Hai, and Lan families in the southern part.

Yushui Village (玉水村), Liude Township:

Ecological Culture: Famous for the tradition of Huocao Textile Art (火草纺织技艺), with an annual “Maiga Maici” (火草捻线) activity held in the 6th and 7th lunar months.

Taliu Village (打红村), Renhe Town:

Living Conditions: A mountainous, impoverished village located at an altitude of 1,580 meters. In 2009, the per capita farmland was only one mu, and the main economy is based on tobacco cultivation and animal husbandry.

5. Intangible Cultural Heritage

Festivals:

Baba Festival (粑粑节) – Lunar June 24th: The core activity involves a sacrificial ceremony where 360 Taliu people, dressed in traditional attire, offer tower-shaped rice cakes to their ancestors, symbolizing the 360 pioneer households. In 2024, the festival will feature new agricultural experiences, such as fish-catching contests, fire-grass stripping competitions, and a black-bone chicken beauty contest.

Cultural Features:

Youth Shelter Marriage Custom (青春棚婚俗): In this custom, young men and women freely court under a shelter (the “Yang Ge Yang” or “Girl’s Shelter”), and after childbirth, the official wedding ceremony is held.

Huocao Clothing (火草服饰): This is a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage, made from fire-grass fiber, known for its durability and breathability.

6. Economic and Protection Efforts

Key Industries:

Taliu Black-Bone Chicken (他留乌骨鸡): A national livestock genetic resource with an annual production of 80,000 chickens, benefiting over 1,000 households in the region.

Huocao Hemp (火草麻布): With an annual production of 2,000 meters, this hemp is used for creating high-end ethnic handicrafts.

Contemporary Challenges:

The outflow of young adults has led to difficulties in preserving traditional craftsmanship. Recently, cultural protection efforts have been promoted through tourism projects, such as the Baba Festival Tourism Project (粑粑节旅游项目), to safeguard cultural heritage.

7. Geographic Features

Taliu Mountain (他留山): The Taliu Bo Ren Peak (他尔波忍峰), at an altitude of 3,963.5 meters, serves as both a natural and cultural landmark, symbolizing the Taliu people’s dwelling place.

Taliu River (他留河): Originating from the Taliu Bo Ren Peak, this river flows for approximately 50 kilometers and irrigates the Taliu Mountain’s terraced fields.