Sword Playing (Shuadao) of Jingpo Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name:景颇族耍刀
English Name:  Sword Playing (Shuadao) of Jingpo Ethnic Minority

The ethnic minority martial arts of Yunnan are incredibly rich in content and deeply steeped in local characteristics, representing a unique gem in China’s martial arts heritage. Among these, the “Jingpo Knife Dance” popular in the Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture stands out as a distinctive martial art form. Jingpo men have a strong affinity for the long knife, with nearly every male possessing one. The knives are approximately 60 cm long and 3 cm wide, accompanied by sheaths. The handles are crafted from bamboo, intricately wrapped with patterns made from twisted threads. Some knives and sheaths are wrapped in copper or silver skins and wires, gleaming brightly and adding to their aesthetic appeal.

The Jingpo people not only love their knives but also excel in knife techniques. Knife performances are often showcased during the colorful traditional festivals of the Jingpo community.

The “Jingpo Knife Dance” can be performed anywhere regardless of space or the number of participants. Among the young Jingpo men, many are skilled in this art form.

During these performances, these skilled individuals wear traditional ethnic costumes with their heads wrapped. There are various routines in the knife dance repertoire, such as single and double knife “cross jumps,” “five-step and seven-step jumps,” and “three-step leopard cuts,” as well as the double knife “figure-eight peach blossoms.” Each movement in the knife dance carries significance: outward-facing blade gestures ward off evil spirits, sideways gestures denote friendship, inward gestures convey apologies, and swinging blades in both directions signify joy. The movements are agile, alternating between vigorous and graceful, vividly depicting scenes from Jingpo hunting, agricultural labor, and the optimistic, brave, and robust traits of the Jingpo people.

Jingpo men take great pride in mastering their knife skills. When welcoming guests from afar, they often perform the “Knife Dance” as a warm gesture of hospitality. During festive gatherings, knife dance performances are an indispensable highlight.

Known for their bravery, Jingpo men traditionally carry two long knives from a young age—one for daily use and another as a ceremonial “gift knife,” prominently worn during joyous occasions and festivals.

In the past, Jingpo knives served as both tools for agricultural production and weapons for self-defense. During the era of slash-and-burn agriculture, they cleared land, cultivated crops, cut trees and bamboo for building houses, and crafted daily necessities with these knives. In the forests, they used their knives to fend off wild animals and prevent harm. During the era of imperialist invasion, they wielded their long knives to resist aggression, courageously fighting and contributing a glorious chapter to the history of the Chinese nation.

http://www.dehong.gov.cn/culture/mz/content-86-501-1.html