Daka Village (Ake Ethnic People) of Menglun Town in Mengla County, Xishuangbanna
Chinese Name: 西双版纳勐腊县勐仑镇大卡村(阿克寨)
English Name: Daka Village (Ake Ethnic People) of Menglun Town in Mengla County, Xishuangbanna
Etuo Festival of Ake Ethnic People is held in Daka Village of Menglun Town in Mengla County.
Location and Geography
- Administrative Division: Daka Village is under the jurisdiction of Menglun Town, which is part of Mengla County in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China.
- Geographical Area: The village covers a total land area of 12.59 square kilometers.
- Elevation: It is situated at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level.
- Climate: Daka Village has a mild climate with an average annual temperature of 21°C and receives an annual precipitation of approximately 1,400 millimeters.
Economic Activities
- Primary Sources of Income: The local economy is mainly driven by agriculture and forestry. Villagers engage in planting crops and managing forest resources.
Accessibility and Transportation
- Distance to Key Locations: The village is located 5.5 kilometers from the Menglun Town government offices and about 70 kilometers from Mengla County.
- Road Conditions: Access to Daka Village is via a dirt road, making it relatively accessible.
Neighboring Areas
- East: The village borders Chengzi Village.
- South and West: It is adjacent to the Lancang River.
- North: Daka Village is bordered by Manmo Village.
Administrative Subdivisions
Daka Village comprises eight village groups, including:
- Daka Old Village
- Akzhai Old Village
These groups form the local administrative structure, which helps manage various aspects of village life and development.
The Akha People
- Identity: The Akha people are a unique ethnic group living primarily in Xishuangbanna. While referred to as “Akha” by outsiders, they are officially classified as part of the Hani ethnic group. The Akha mainly inhabit areas such as Jinghong Town, Menglong Town, and Menghan Town in Jinghong City, and Bulang Mountain Township in Menghai County, as well as in Menglun Town in Mengla County, totaling around 6,000 people across 21 villages. Akzhai Old Village is one of the most renowned Akha settlements in Mengla County.
- Self-Designation: The Akha refer to themselves as “Guoke.” According to local legend, an elderly Akha woman, upon encountering a Han Chinese person, could only communicate through gestures due to the language barrier. During this interaction, she misunderstood and adopted the term “Akha” from the phrase “阿瓣克” (meaning “go ahead” in Chinese), dropping the middle character. Her descendants continued using this term, which has since become their identity.
Traditional Housing and Modern Developments
- Traditional Housing: Historically, Akha people lived in low, dark thatched huts with a central hearth used for cooking, warmth, and boiling water.
- Modern Housing: Today, many Akha have transitioned to building traditional stilted wooden houses or modern concrete buildings, reflecting improvements in living standards.
Language, Religion, and Festivals
- Language: The Akha speak their own language, which is similar to the Hani language, allowing for mutual communication between the two groups.
- Religion: The Akha practice animism, a form of traditional religion.
- Festivals: Major festivals include the New Year Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival (August 15), and the House Warming Celebration. These celebrations feature song and dance gatherings, with traditional dances that are simple and expressive. Popular dances include the “Chopstick Dance” for men, the “Silver Box Dance” for women, and the “Agricultural Dance,” which mimics farming activities such as planting, harvesting, and milling. The “Entertainment for the Dead Dance” is a ritual dance performed during ancestral worship.
Traditional Clothing and Craftsmanship
- Clothing: Despite living among Dai, Hani, Lahu, and Bulang communities, the Akha maintain distinct traditional attire. Their clothing predominantly features black fabric. Men wear black turbans, black handmade shirts and pants, silver necklaces, and sometimes adorn their ears with flowers. Women wear black fabric trousers and jackets with silver coin decorations, short waist-length tops with red embroidery, side slits adorned with multicolored tassels, and belts embedded with shell beads. Middle-aged women wrap their legs in black cloth, wear large silver earrings connected by a chain draped across the chest, and carry handmade hemp bags.
- Craftsmanship: Akha women are known for their diligence and skill in embroidery. They often engage in needlework during their leisure time, creating intricate designs on fabric. Women learn sewing skills from a young age, and after crafting garments, they decorate them with embroidered patterns of flora and fauna, reflecting their cultural ideals and aspirations.
Economic Activities
- Agriculture: The Akha primarily practice upland farming, growing crops such as winter melon, pumpkin, taro, and yam. There are few paddy fields, with some areas lacking them entirely. Due to the mountainous terrain, dry farming is prevalent, often with low yields. Basic agricultural tools include machetes and hoes. Preparations for farming involve men sharpening machetes and women checking their baskets. In the past, limited contact with the outside world led to cultural and economic underdevelopment.
- Improvement in Living Standards: In recent years, the Akha’s standard of living has significantly improved. Modern advancements have brought new clothing styles and a more relaxed lifestyle, while still preserving traditional customs and practices.
