Mingjiu Village of Mingjiu Town in Mengzi City, Honghe Prefecture

Overview

Mingjiu Village is located in Mingjiu Town, Mengzi City, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. As the seat of the town government and village committee, this mountainous area covers 17.02 square kilometers with a registered population of about 2,641 people in 2020. The village was listed in the fourth batch of China’s Traditional Villages in 2016 and was awarded the title of “One Village, One Product” professional village (cherry) by Honghe Prefecture in 202113.

The history of Mingjiu Village can be traced back to the Yuan Dynasty when it belonged to the Aji Wanhu Fu. Through various administrative adjustments during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was finally placed under Mengzi County in 19571. The village preserves valuable cultural relics including the Yuan Shi Dong Grottoes (a provincial-level cultural protection unit) and inscriptions by Cen Yuying, the Governor-General of Yunnan and Guizhou during the Qing Dynasty1.

Ethnic Composition

Mingjiu Village is primarily inhabited by three ethnic groups:

• ‌Miao (Hmong)‌: The dominant minority group
• ‌Yi‌: Significant population with rich cultural traditions
• ‌Han‌: Minority population with historical settlement4

Historical Background

The village’s name originated from the legend of a vulture (鹫) perching and calling on the mountain near the village, which was originally called Nongren Village (侬人寨)2. During the Yuan Dynasty, it belonged to the Aji Wanhu Fu, and in the Ming Dynasty, it became part of the Annan Chiefdom7.

Notable historical figures include Cao Shigui (1800-1848), a native of Mingjiu Village who served as an official in Taiwan during the Qing Dynasty and wrote Diary of an Official’s Life, an important historical document about Taiwan’s politics, economy, and culture during that period11.

Culinary Culture

Miao Cuisine

• ‌Sour Fish Soup‌: Signature dish featuring fermented tomato or chili broth
• ‌Sour Vegetable with Crispy Pork Leg Hotpot‌: A must-try local specialty during market days16
• ‌Blood Sausage‌: Made with pork blood, glutinous rice, and intestines
• ‌Oil Tea‌: Traditional beverage combining tea leaves with various grains17

Yi Cuisine

• ‌Tuo Tuo Meat‌: Large chunks of pork or mutton boiled with minimal seasoning, served with garlic water, salt, and pepper20
• ‌Blood Sausage‌: Similar to Miao style but with added spices like chili and Sichuan pepper20
• ‌Roasted Piglet‌: A festive dish often served during important occasions20

Han Cuisine

While specific Han dishes in Mingjiu Village aren’t documented, local Han cuisine typically incorporates:

• Stir-fried dishes with local vegetables
• Preserved meats and pickled foods
• Rice-based staples22

Traditional Attire

Miao Clothing

• Known for intricate embroidery and silver decorations
• Women’s festive costumes include pleated skirts and elaborate headdresses
• Common motifs include butterflies (symbolizing ancestors), dragons, and floral patterns2526
• The village hosts a Miao costume street with over 400 stalls during market days25

Yi Clothing

• Characterized by right-buttoned jackets and wide-legged trousers
• Men often wear “hero buns” (a hairstyle) and “hero belts”
• Women’s attire varies by marital status, with married women wearing more elaborate embroidery2829
• Traditional Yi costumes often feature black, red, and yellow as primary colors28

Han Clothing

While modern Han clothing dominates daily wear, traditional elements may appear during festivals:

• Simple cotton or linen garments
• Less ornamentation compared to minority costumes
• Some preservation of Ming Dynasty styles in formal occasions31

Customs and Traditions

Miao Customs

• ‌Flower Mountain Festival‌: Celebrated during Chinese New Year with pole climbing, singing, and courtship activities47
• Rich drinking culture featuring various toasting rituals
• Traditional marriage customs including singing competitions for matchmaking35

Yi Customs

• ‌Torch Festival‌: Most important annual celebration with bonfires and dancing (held around June 24)48
• Unique coming-of-age ceremonies like “Salaluo” for girls at age 1529
• Ancestor worship and nature veneration remain central to daily life38

Han Customs

• Celebration of traditional Chinese festivals like Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival
• Ancestral worship practices
• Integration of local minority customs over time51

Architectural Style

While specific architectural details of Mingjiu Village’s traditional buildings aren’t extensively documented in search results, typical features of the region include:

• Wooden structures with intricate carvings
• Sloping tile roofs adapted to the mountainous terrain
• Courtyard-style layouts for family compounds
• Integration of natural materials like wood and stone3942

The village’s most notable architectural landmark is the Yuan Shi Dong (Lion Grotto), a religious site combining Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian elements69.

Festivals and Celebrations

Handicrafts

Miao Crafts

• ‌Embroidery‌: Intricate needlework featuring symbolic patterns54
• ‌Silverwork‌: Traditional jewelry making techniques54
• ‌Batik‌: Wax-resist dyeing creating distinctive blue-and-white textiles26

Yi Crafts

• ‌Silverware‌: Ornaments and utensils made by specialized craftsmen57
• ‌Wood Carving‌: Decorative elements for buildings and furniture38
• ‌Textile Weaving‌: Traditional wool and linen fabrics38

Han Crafts

While not extensively documented in Mingjiu Village, traditional Han crafts in the region may include:

• Bamboo weaving
• Pottery
• Paper crafts60

Religious Practices

Miao Religion

• Animistic belief system worshiping nature spirits
• Shamanistic practices with ritual specialists
• Ancestor veneration6364

Yi Religion

• Bimo (毕摩) priests conduct important rituals
• Nature worship combined with ancestor veneration
• Belief in multiple souls and spiritual forces6668

Han Religion

• Syncretic blend of Buddhism, Taoism, and folk beliefs
• Worship at the Yuan Shi Dong, which combines all three traditions69
• Ancestor worship remains important69

Language Use

• ‌Miao language‌: Spoken among older generations, with younger people increasingly using Mandarin72
• ‌Yi language‌: Various dialects used within the community76
• ‌Mandarin Chinese‌: Primary language for interethnic communication and official use72
• Local Han dialect: Influenced by surrounding minority languages76

Travel Tips

• ‌Best visiting time‌: June for Torch Festival or Chinese New Year for Flower Mountain Festival
• ‌Don’t miss‌: Yuan Shi Dong religious site and local market days
• ‌Local specialties‌: Sour vegetable with crispy pork leg hotpot, Miao embroidery
• ‌Cultural respect‌: Ask permission before photographing locals, especially during religious ceremonies

Mingjiu Village offers visitors an authentic cultural experience where they can immerse themselves in the living traditions of Yunnan’s ethnic minorities while enjoying the beautiful rural scenery of this ancient settlement. The blend of Miao, Yi, and Han cultures creates a unique tapestry of customs, cuisines, and crafts that reflect centuries of harmonious coexistence.