History of Bamei Village in Guangnan County, Wenshan
It is said that the ancestors of Bamei residents are a Zhuang family of Guangdong Province. Six hundred years ago, they escaped from brutal outlaws and found the cave by chance. They believed it was a perfect place to hide, so later they invited some friends to live with them. Since then, the village had become a Peach Blossom Valley for these virtuous, amicable Zhuang people. They get up when sun rises and go to bed when sun sets. No one worries about their job or the future. Life is simple and easy for them. They can do everything for themselves. They plant rice paddies and cotton, spin and weave their own clothes, make bean curd with stone grinders, and even produce their own cooking oil. As long as they have enough salt, they can stay in the village without contact with the outside world.
They also fully preserve the traditions of the Zhuang minority. Most of the villagers live in traditional Malan houses, a kind of diao jiao lou(掉脚楼). Their customs and festivals are also well preserved. The Devil Festival, the Ox Soul Festival, and the Singing Festival are all celebrated grandly. They are passionate and hospitable, and visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery and traditional ethos. Bamei Village is indeed an ideal place for getting away from the crowded city.
In recent years, huge investment has been made to improve the infrastructure facilities in the village. The electricity has been laid and roads connecting the outside world have also been paved. There are TV sets and telephones at the locals’ home. They seem to adapt to new modern life.
