Bo People Hanging Coffin in Sichuan and Yunnan
Chinese Name: 僰人悬棺
English Name: Bo People Hanging Coffin in Sichuan and Yunnan
Overview:
The Bo People Hanging Coffin Burial, also known as the Gongxian Hanging Coffin and commonly referred to as “Hanging Rock Coffins,” is located in Matangba and Suma Bay in Gongxian County, Yibin City, Sichuan Province. These ancient cliffside burial sites date from the Song Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty and are characterized by placing the coffins on sheer cliff faces.
The Bo People Hanging Coffins are divided into two parts: the Matangba Hanging Coffins and the Suma Bay Hanging Coffins. There are a total of 265 hanging coffins, typically positioned 10 to 30 meters above the ground, with some reaching up to approximately 110 meters. The coffins are generally larger at the head end and smaller at the tail, most of which are carved from camphor wood, though some have deteriorated. The site is the most concentrated and well-preserved hanging coffin site in China, providing valuable physical evidence for studying Bo people’s funeral customs.
On January 13, 1988, the Bo People Hanging Coffin Burial was officially designated as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.
Historical Development:
- Song Dynasty: The Bo People Hanging Coffin Burial began to gain prominence.
- Ming Dynasty (1573): After the Bo-Han War, the Bo people were eradicated, leading to the cessation of the hanging coffin burial practices.
- July 1974: The Bo People Hanging Coffins were formally cleaned and excavated for the first time.
- December 1984 to January 1985: Further cleaning and excavation of the site took place.
Architectural Layout:
The Bo People Hanging Coffins are categorized into Matangba Hanging Coffins and Suma Bay Hanging Coffins. There are 265 coffins in total, with heights ranging from 10 to 30 meters, and some reaching around 110 meters. The placement methods include:
- Wooden Stake Method: Holes are drilled into the cliff to insert wooden stakes, on which the coffins are placed.
- Niche Method: Horizontal or vertical niches are carved into the rock face to embed the coffins.
- Natural Caves Method: Coffins are placed in natural caves.
The coffins are typically wider at the head end and narrower at the tail, with most made from camphor wood, although some are deteriorated.
Cultural Relics:
- Matangba Hanging Coffins: Distributed across steep cliffs of 21 mountains, with 223 coffins currently preserved. There are also numerous stake holes resembling honeycombs. Over 200 rock paintings, created with red or white mineral pigments, adorn the area, many on stake holes or coffins, though some have been damaged.
- Suma Bay Hanging Coffins: Found along a 600-meter-long, 20 to 100-meter-high rock face, with 42 coffins currently preserved. Seven coffins are placed in natural caves or on rock pedestals, while thirty-five are supported by wooden stakes.
Historical and Cultural Significance:
The Bo people were an ancient ethnic group residing in southwest China during the pre-Qin period. The term “Bo” was used to refer to this group, also known as “Shandu Zhang” or “Duzhang Man.” During the Zhou Dynasty, the Bo people participated in military campaigns against the Shang Dynasty. Later, they established the Bo State in Yibin City, Sichuan Province. By the Song Dynasty, they had developed into an independent Bo Kingdom. In 1115 AD, under the leadership of their leader Bu Lou, the Bo people rebelled against the Song Dynasty but were defeated. In 1573, the Bo people attempted another rebellion in Xingwen and Gongxian, known as the Bo-Han War, but were eradicated by the Ming Dynasty’s Liu Xian and Liu Ting, and subsequently disappeared.
Value of the Cultural Relics:
The Bo People Hanging Coffin Burial is the most concentrated and well-preserved site of hanging coffins in China. It provides significant physical evidence for studying the funeral customs of the Bo people.
Preservation:
- 1956: The Bo People Hanging Coffins were designated as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit by the Sichuan Provincial People’s Government.
- January 13, 1988: The Bo People Hanging Coffin Burial was officially listed as a third batch National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.
Yunnan Bo People Hanging Coffins
Chinese Name: 云南僰人悬棺
English Name: Yunnan Bo People Hanging Coffins
Overview:
In Yunnan, hanging coffins are primarily found in the northeastern region, along the Jinsha River basin in areas such as Yongshan, Yanjin, and Weixin. Historical records indicate that hanging coffins were once present in Zhaotong and Zhenxiong, but they are now difficult to locate. Notable sites include:
- Yongshan County: Huanghua Township Qiaowan, and Shunjiang E-she Cliff Caves.
- Yanjin County: Dousha Town Shimen Village, Xinglong Township Haozhi Village, and Lingguanyan.
- Weixin County: Changan Township Washi Village, and Longma Old Cave in Jiuqiao Town.
Historical Background:
The practice of hanging coffins in Yunnan dates back to ancient times and was described in historical texts. The “Yunnan Zhi Lue” by Li Jing from the Yuan Dynasty mentions that local customs involved placing coffins on high cliffs as a form of burial, believing that the higher the coffin, the more auspicious it was.
Bo People Hanging Coffin of Doushaguan in Yanjin County, ZhaotongKey Sites:
- Dousha Guan Hanging Coffins:
- Location: Southern cliff of Guan River, Dousha Township, Shimen Village.
- Details: Situated in a natural rectangular cavity 480 meters above sea level. Originally, there were around 40 coffins, but only about 11 remain. The site is noted for its dramatic cliffside setting and is sometimes referred to as a “Hanging Coffin Museum.”
- Washi Hanging Coffins:
- Location: Changan Township, Weixin County.
- Details: Similar in style to the coffins in Gongxian County, Sichuan. Currently, there are 3 original coffins and 4 replicas. The coffins are mounted on a cliff several hundred meters high.
- Longma Old Cave:
- Location: Jiuqiao Town, Weixin County.
- Details: Comprises 8 caves on a cliff. Excavations revealed wooden coffins and human bones. The site offers significant insights into ancient burial practices.
- Zhenxiong and Dawanxiang:
- Details: There are reported remains of hanging coffins in Dawanxiang’s Zhuang’er Tea Village, although their exact locations are elusive.
Significance:
These sites offer critical insights into the ancient burial customs of the Bo people, reflecting their unique practices and beliefs. The hanging coffins are notable for their difficult-to-reach locations and the enigmatic methods used to place them, contributing to their mystique. They are considered valuable cultural relics and are protected as key historical sites.
