Heha Village in Menglian County, Puer

Chinese Name: 普洱市孟连傣族拉祜族佤族自治县勐马镇贺哈村
English Name: Heha Village in Menglian County, Puer

Heha Village is located in the Jiedong Administrative Village of Mengmao Town, Ruili City, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is situated in the basin area, southwest of Mengmao Town, 2.5 kilometers from the Jiedong Village Committee and 2.5 kilometers from the town government seat, with a total land area of 0.45 square kilometers. Have you heard of the “Mountain God” dance? In Heha, Mengma Town, there is a group of Mountain Gods who dance. They have peculiar and whimsical appearances but are friendly and enthusiastic. If you’re interested in exploring, follow me to the Heha Countryside Scenic Area.

Scenic Area Features

  • Location: 2 kilometers from the town government.
  • Nearby Attractions: Mengma Village Waterfall and a 3.4-kilometer forest fitness trail.
  • Facilities: 300-meter glass walkway, ethnic heritage museum, water-splashing square, stage, performing arts restaurant, parking lot, and tourist restrooms.
  • Surroundings: Over 300 acres of rice fields displaying different pastoral landscapes depending on the season.
  • Focus: Dai cuisine, traditional handicrafts, and agricultural science popularization.

Cultural Heritage

  • Name Meaning: In the Dai language, “He” means village and “Ha” means root, indicating a place of origin or rooted place.
  • Location: Mengma Village, Mengma Town, Menglian County.
  • Cultural Highlights: The Mountain God dance, which is a city-level intangible cultural heritage project, with two county-level inheritors. Performers wear costumes made of banana leaves, mountain god masks, and bamboo shoes.

Development and Tourism

  • Company: Heha Bufan Performing Arts Co., Ltd. established in 2016.
  • Activities: Organizes village performances and operates特色农家乐 (characteristic rural guesthouses).
  • Works: Includes “Mountain God Dance,” “Dai Sword Dance,” “Moose Dance,” “Peacock Dance,” “White Elephant Dance,” and “Dai Fist.”
  • Impact: Promotes traditional culture, boosts rural tourism, and supports farmers’ income growth.

Personal Experience

Two years ago, I visited Heha and discovered its unique dances and traditional crafts. There’s an inexplicable charm in its natural beauty and pure, simple lifestyle that makes it a special place to visit.

Legend

Legend has it that as human activity expanded, animals escaped to the forest and became “Mountain Gods.” They visited Heha, observing the Dai people from the walls. Curious, they joined in the dances, and the Dai people, despite their fear, welcomed them warmly, leading to the creation of the Mountain God dance.

Recent Events

In May 2018, the China National Symphony Orchestra visited Heha for their “Deep into Life, Rooted in the People” activity, providing an excellent opportunity to experience the Dai people’s unique ethnic customs.

Mengma Town Market Activity

  • Date: April 15 (Saturday) 09:00—20:30
  • Location: Heha Scenic Area Water-splashing Square
  • Activities: Cultural performances, water-splashing events, flower package tossing, “Binlong Saihai” unity dance ceremony, and lantern wish-making by the Mangyun group.