Niru Village (尼汝村) is located in the eastern part of Shangri-La City (香格里拉市) and belongs to the “Three Parallel Rivers” (三江并流) World Natural Heritage Site. Surrounded by mountains, the village covers an area of 446 square kilometers and is home to 650 Tibetan compatriots. The village boasts abundant resources and pristine, magnificent natural landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, forests, meadows, and lakes. With its rich folk culture and millennia-old traditions such as the Dengba Festival (登巴节), it has earned the reputation as the “World’s Premier Ecological Village” (世界第一生态村).
Brewing Culture
The people of Niru are known for their hospitality, and Tibetan liquor plays a significant role in their daily lives. Niru Tibetan liquor, called “Qiang” (羌) or sometimes referred to as “Tibetan beer,” has a low alcohol content and a color similar to Pepsi. It is rich in amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and other nutrients. The brewing ingredients include medicinal plants such as green yeast grass, eagle belly yeast grass, and deer horn grass, which grow at altitudes above 3,600 meters, giving the liquor unique medicinal properties.
Niru has a long history of brewing and extensive experience in the craft. Their brewing process is reflected in a traditional “Toasting Song,” which describes the steps: first, little bees contribute nectar, and the rainbow adds color. Then, herbs are gathered from the snow-capped mountains to create the perfect yeast. The elder brewers fetch spring water from the mountains, washing their hands three times, rinsing the barley three times, and scrubbing the rust-free pot three times. The barley is cooked, cooled, mixed with yeast, and stored for three months before becoming the rich and aromatic Tibetan liquor.
The yeast recipe is unique—deer horn grass enhances alertness, green yeast grass is essential for fermentation, and rhubarb clears heat and detoxifies. Without these three ingredients, the yeast cannot be properly made. Niru’s liquor culture is also reflected in its drinking customs. The hosts enthusiastically invite guests to drink with the phrase “Qiang Xunuo” (羌许诺), meaning “Please drink.” The more the guest drinks, the happier the host becomes, and if the guest gets drunk, the host feels even more honored, showcasing the bold and passionate nature of the Niru people.
Weaving Culture
Historical Origins
The ancestors of Niru belonged to the nomadic Diqiang tribes during the Tibetan Empire era and migrated to Zhongdian (now Shangri-La) during the Tang Dynasty. Their long-standing nomadic lifestyle made them closely connected to wool weaving, as textiles became essential daily necessities. Over generations, weaving became a traditional household craft among the Tibetan families in Niru Village.
A local legend explains how weaving was introduced to Niru: Long ago, a husband, out of love for his wife, refused to let her work, leading her to boredom and frequent absences from home. Later, when the husband traveled to Tibet for business, he saw Princess Wencheng teaching local women to weave carpets. He purchased a carpet, brought it home, and encouraged his wife to learn. He even created a lightweight, portable weaving tool. His clever wife modified the single-thread weaving method into a double-thread technique, making the carpets thicker, more durable, and warmer. This improved weaving technique was passed down through generations.
Weaving Techniques
Niru’s weaving stands out in Diqing, preserving an ancient and primitive craftsmanship. The raw materials come from high-quality local sheep wool and yak wool. The village maintains a unique “women weave, men sew” custom—women are responsible for spinning yak and sheep wool into thread, weaving fabric, and dyeing it, while men sew the finished fabric into clothing and household items. Locals believe that this clear division of labor was established by their ancestors, and if a woman were to take on a man’s task, the household’s male head would not thrive. This tradition compels men to acquire multiple skills and maintain self-sufficiency.
Tools
Portable tools suit nomadic life:
- Tacha (塔差): Six 30cm bamboo rods and oak boards.
- Tagla (塔格拉): Leather waistbelt to secure looms.
- Jiya (几亚): Wooden clips to roll woven cloth.
- Taron (塔绒): Shuttle-like bamboo device.
Process
- Prep: Wash and sun-dry wool.
- Carding: Fluff into sheets (Bixie 毕些).
- Spinning: Twist into yarn (Gei 给), adjust thickness with fingers.
- Boiling: Steam yarn to prevent shrinkage.
- Looming: Fix yarn between waistbelt and Tisheng (提升, tension tool). Taboo: Women mustn’t step over yarn.
Textile Types
- Zongdi (宗堤): Wool rugs with floral/bird motifs, stitched from five 200x30cm panels. White-based “endless patterns” (万不断) symbolize longevity.
- Yak Blankets (夏): Black, rainproof, trimmed with colorful pulu (氆氇) and tassels (Queluo 却罗).
- Belts/Legwraps: Gender/marriage-status dictate patterns (e.g., lucky knots 吉祥结).
- Utility Bags: Striped horse feed bags (马料袋), lunch packs (午餐包) with cross-stitch decor, gifted at gatherings.
- Ta (塔): Wool cloth (360x20cm per roll) for tailoring. Men’s wear: white/brown/black; women’s: navy/blue/green.
Cultural History
Niru Village (尼汝村), located in eastern Shangri-La City (香格里拉市), derives its name from the Tibetan word meaning “corner of the eye” due to its eyelid-shaped topography. This high-altitude mountainous area was originally settled by nomadic Di-Qiang (氐羌) tribes during the Tibetan Empire (吐蕃) period, who migrated to Zhongdian (中甸, present-day Shangri-La) during the Tang Dynasty. Many were descendants of the Beijade Twelve Tribes (贝嘉德十二部) from Tibet and Qinghai (青海) who came south to conquer Nanzhao (南诏).
For centuries, Niru Tibetans maintained a pastoral lifestyle with animal husbandry as their economic backbone. The village was historically isolated deep in primitive forests, accessible only by treacherous mountain paths where goods were transported by human porters or horse caravans. Modern development brought roads connecting Niru to Shangri-La town, replacing traditional transport with vehicles and creating new opportunities.
Niru people traditionally believe in “animism” (万物有灵), practicing nature worship with strong environmental consciousness. Their harmonious coexistence with nature preserved the area’s pristine ecology. In 2002, UNESCO experts praised Niru as “an exemplary model of intact natural and cultural ecosystems.” Listed in China’s Traditional Village Protection Catalog (中国传统村落保护名录) in 2013, Niru remains a vital living archive of Tibetan culture amidst modernization.
Traditional Festival – Dengba Festival (登巴节)
The most distinctive among Niru’s annual celebrations is the Dengba Festival (meaning “July Festival” in Tibetan), also called Dengba Reguo (登巴热果, Mountain-Circling Gathering) or Dengba Zhian (登巴支安, July 15th). This multifunctional event blends religious, agricultural, and entertainment elements.
Originating from Bon (苯教) harvest rituals, the festival shares roots with Tibet’s Ongkor (望果节) Festival. In the 5th century CE, King Budegongjie (布德贡杰) invited Bon priests to perform ceremonies in the Yarlung Valley (雅隆河谷), praying to dragon, mountain, and local deities for good harvests. After Buddhism’s 6th-century introduction, various schools (Nyingma 宁玛, Sakya 萨迦, Kagyu 噶举, Gelug 格鲁) incorporated their practices, enriching the festival.
Key Activities:
Mountain Deity Worship at Sacred Sites:
At dawn on July 15th, villagers burn juniper (煨桑) at homes and sacred mountains like Shengge (神格神山) or Pamnai Cave (帕姆乃仙人洞). Chanting scriptures amid conch shell blasts, they seek divine favor for abundant harvests.
Mani (嘛呢) Scripture Recitation:
Evenings feature group chanting of the Six-Syllable Mantra (六字大明咒) around hearths:
- “Om” represents Buddha’s body, speech, and mind
- “Mani” (jewel) symbolizes compassion
- “Padme” (lotus) signifies wisdom
- “Hum” denotes indivisible unity
This practice is believed to accumulate merit and ward off disasters.
Yak Battles & Horse Races:
Held at Shuogong Meadow (硕贡坝), these thrilling events showcase local herds:
- Yak fights: Massive bulls lock horns amid spectators’ cheers until one retreats
- Horse races: Riders demonstrate skill and bravery, adding festive excitement
Traditional Handicrafts
Beyond textiles, Niru boasts other exquisite crafts like tea-salt bags (茶盐口袋), featuring symbolic patterns:
- Swastika (万字纹) and endless knots (万不断纹): Represent eternity
- Dove motifs: Symbolize peace
- Floral/serpent/dragon designs: Reflect natural reverence
These artifacts embody Niru’s aesthetic values and spiritual beliefs, serving as cultural signatures passed through generations. Their preservation demonstrates the community’s creativity and connection to ancestral wisdom.
