A Brief History of Tujia People

Culture 2012/08/31 View：2252

The Tujia people called themselves “Bizika”, which means “Native dwellers”. Although their name suggests that they are natives, their exact origin is still uncertain. Some people trace their ancestry to the ancient “Ba” people while others claim they come from the Wuman, who moved to Western Hunan from Guizhou Province. There are also some that believe that they came from Jiangxi Province at the end of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The only thing we can be sure of is that the Tujia ethnic group had come into being by the early Five Dynasties period, Around the year 910.The Tujia ethnic group was officially recognized as one of the 55 ethnic groups in 1957 by the Chinese Government, and a number of autonomous prefectures and counties were established.

Translated by Sophia

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Floating River Lanterns

Floating river lanterns is an ancient traditional custom in China. It is used to mourn passing relatives and bless living people.

2012-09-26 20:59 View：2365
Tujia Ten Sisters’ Accompanying Custom

Tujia people are very cautious about the marriage if the bride and the groom have the same surname. If they have the same surname, they may be of the same blood. The marriage of the same blood is a big taboo in Tujia. Tujia girls will welcome their marriage day by crying. The bride usually starts to cry half a month previous to the wedding day; some even cry about one month. The shortest is about 3 or 5 days. Tujia people judge a girl’s intelligence and virtue by how well she can sing crying songs in the wedding.

2012-08-07 01:08 View：2299
Miao Nationality’s Special Custom: Welcome Dragon

Welcome the dragon is a holy worship to Miao people. In order to wish for their families’ prosperity, Miao people usually make a vow to the dragon and invite two senior masters to host the religious rites. They need to ask the hostess’s brother of that family to welcome the dragon for them. Owners have to welcome the hostess’s brother in the entrance to their village and send two bowls of liquor and red paper containing money as a gift.

2012-08-30 01:03 View：2169
ZJJ Tujia’s Architectural Style

The Tujia people like living in groups, and the houses of the Tujia, known as Diaojiaolou are very functional and similar to those of Miao. The house is made of wood, with tile roof, up-turned eaves, and balcony with carved wooden handrails. On the lower floor, there is livestock; while the girls’ bedrooms are kept upstairs.

2012-08-07 01:02 View：2261
Xiangxi Miao Flower Drum

Miao flower drum originated from Tang Dynasty, which creates its over one-thousand history. According to some maters, They learned to play flower drum when they were young. Colorful petals were put above the drum. They were not allowed to knock petals down in the process of playing the drum, which of course required excellent skill. Maybe this is why they call it flower drum later.

2012-08-30 00:56 View：2328
Fenghuang Miao Martial Art

Generally, Fenghuang Miao martial art has a long history. Especially Chiyou boxing in Miao boxing originated from Chi-you era.

2012-08-25 23:06 View：2410
Fenghuang Miao People’s Marriage Customs

There exists high degree of autonomy in Fenghuang Miao people’s marriage. Singing in antiphonal style is the most representative way of expressing love between Miao men and women. Miao youth pay much attention to artistic talent and moral characters instead of property and family financial situation.

2012-08-31 12:00 View：2424
Fenghuang Tea-light Opera

Tea-light opera is a small scaled musical opera in Fenghuang, originating from folk minor, folk songs of labor, lantern dance and many traditional tunes.

2012-08-22 11:57 View：2245
Zhangjiajie Ethnic Tanhou Sunning Clothes

During this day, each Tujia ethnic family will prepare a big meal for family union. Firstly, they will cook dishes and worship their ancestor Tanhou. Tanhou was a leader popular with Tujia people. While he was disobey to the emperor of Ming Dynasty so that he was died for some political reasons. And the traditional custom in this festival is to sun clothes for memory this great Tujia minority figure.

2012-08-30 11:55 View：2294
Zhangjiajie Tujia’s Caisheng Custom

When Tujia women born a baby, the first guest went into the room, it is the people of “CaiSheng”. At this time, the baby’s father specifically sent a bowl with four eggs to feed strangers, and the baby called the stranger man “adopted father”. If the people is women, the baby called her “adopted mother”, the two sides relationship became stronger and stronger every day.

2012-08-23 23:17 View：2113