Dahei Village of Xiyang Town in Jinning District, Kunming

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Village Introduction

Dahei Village (打黑村) is situated in Xiyang Yi Ethnic Township (夕阳彝族乡), Jinning District (晋宁区), Yunnan Province (云南省). It lies in the southern part of Xiyang Township (夕阳乡), approximately 27 kilometers from the township government. The village is bordered by Yuxi City (玉溪市) to the east, Eshan County (峨山县) to the south, Xingshan Village Committee (新山村委会) to the west, and Yizige Village Committee (一字格村委会) to the north. The village is perched at an elevation of 2,207 meters, with an average annual temperature of 16°C and annual precipitation of 910 mm, making it suitable for growing flue-cured tobacco, corn, and wheat.

Established during the Yuan Dynasty (元代), Dahei Village is one of the villages that have preserved traditional Yi (彝族) residences with a concentration of historical relics. It is designated as a main protection area for the Yi ethnic group by Kunming City (昆明市). The village’s primary industry is agriculture, and it boasts a well-preserved historical character with a pleasant living environment, predominantly surrounded by forests and farmland.

Architectural Features

Dahei Village exhibits a unique layout that is built against the mountains in a semi-circular form. The residents are arranged in an orderly manner at the foot of the mountain, creating a crescent shape. A central ancient street serves as the main axis of the village, with smaller alleys branching off, forming a two-tier transportation system of “main street and small alley.” This layout results in a “fishbone” pattern of streets and alleys, characterized by concrete paths, alley entrances, wells, ancient trees, and fields, all contributing to its distinctive traditional environment. The ancient residences in the village are typical representations of Yi architecture in Xiyang Township. Overall, the village layout is clear and intact, with high historical and aesthetic value.

The Yi people prefer mild and cool climates, typically residing at altitudes between 1,500 and 3,000 meters. A popular saying goes, “The Yi live in the high mountains” (彝入住高山). Historical tribal social structures and conflicts have led to three main characteristics in traditional Yi housing: “living in clusters,” “occupying strategic locations,” and “relying on mountains.” Yi villages generally consist of 30 to 50 households, with larger villages having only around a hundred residents. Historically, areas densely populated by Yi people lack towns or markets. In Yi society, it is common for sons to establish their own households after marriage while parents may continue to live with their younger sons, resulting in a preference for simpler residential designs. Traditional residential layouts consist of earthen walls forming square courtyards, surrounded by trees. The entrance typically features a wooden-framed door, while the living quarters are constructed with wooden frames and triangular roofs, reflecting the Yi people’s close ties to mountains and forests and embodying a simple and original architectural aesthetic.

Inside the Yi residences, the layout comprises three distinct sections: the central hall serves as the main area upon entering, with a fire pit located in the upper right corner. This fire pit, built with three elephant trunk-shaped decorative stones, is used for cooking and remains lit year-round, serving as the center for receiving guests and household activities. To the left of the fire pit, a wooden or bamboo partition creates an inner room with a connecting door that serves as the master bedroom and storage for valuable items. The right side of the entrance leads to the livestock pen, while the upper level features a bamboo loft, with the left section used for grain storage, the middle section for firewood, and the right section serving as a guest room or living space for unmarried children.

Site Selection and Layout

The site selection for Dahei Village emphasizes both material and spiritual needs, supported by scientific foundations and high aesthetic values. The Yi people hold a deep respect for nature and its rational use, choosing ideal living locations. They highly regard and respect the inherent mechanisms and natural laws of the local ecological environment, adhering to principles of valuing land, protecting water sources, conserving forests, and utilizing natural energy wisely. Most village sites utilize natural terrain, lying against mountains and surrounding water, with an emphasis on open spaces in valleys or south-facing gentle slopes. This follows the belief that “a sunny residence must consider terrain, with mountains at the back and water at the front for prosperity” (阳宅须教择地形，背山面水称人兴).

The spatial design of Dahei Village stresses compliance with nature, adapting to the mountain landscape, conserving soil and water, using local materials, cultivating a nurturing atmosphere, and valuing land and waterways. It preserves the natural ecological structure and vitality. Utilizing the conditions of slopes such as ridges and valleys, the layout is designed to create a freely open environment. The spatial structure follows a natural form, curving around the surrounding landscape, creating a flexible and variable spatial arrangement while maintaining an orderly and systematic structure. By endowing the natural environment and the settlement with cultural significance, it fulfills the psychological needs of its residents, achieving the goal of making the village an organic whole with its natural surroundings.