Tianba Village of Shuanghe Town in Jinning District, Kunming
Overview of Tianba Village
Tianba Village Committee (田坝村委会) is part of Shuanghe Yi Ethnic Township (双河彝族乡) in Jinning District (晋宁区), Kunming (昆明), located 7 kilometers from the township government and 24 kilometers from Kunming City. The transportation is convenient, with a mix of dirt and asphalt roads. It is bordered by Baofeng Town (宝峰镇) to the east, Yuxi City (玉溪市) to the south, Walnut Garden Village Committee (核桃园村委会) to the west, and Huangchuan Village Committee (荒川村委会) to the north. The village has 214 households with a rural population of 836 people, all engaged in agriculture, with a labor force of 528 individuals, including 395 involved in primary industries.
Geographic Features
Tianba Village, situated with its buildings facing south and adjacent to mountains and rivers, is graced by the beautiful Jiucun River (九村河) that flows through it, being the source of this river. Most of the architecture is well-preserved, primarily constructed of timber and earth with an average area of about 200 square meters, featuring rammed earth walls and tile roofs. Each household has a small courtyard of approximately 10 square meters. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, the village is located in a basin area with 72% forest coverage, and it enjoys an average annual temperature of 12 degrees Celsius. It is a traditional settlement of the Yi ethnic group (彝族), comprising 206 households and 896 residents.
Village Culture
Tianba Village retains its traditional Yi lifestyle and language. The residential buildings are mainly tile-roofed houses, each featuring a spacious courtyard. Most local Yi women still wear traditional clothing, and many engage in embroidery.
Cultural Resources
The remaining cultural resources include:
- Ethnic costumes
- Drumming and dancing rituals (跳鼓)
- Traditional musical exchanges (对调)
- Yi cultural customs and residential architecture
Yalang Drum (秧佬鼓)
The Yalang Drum is a folk dance form popular in the Yi villages of Xiyang and Shuanghe in Jinning County (晋宁县). People of all ages participate in the dance.
Costumes
The ethnic costumes still preserved in Tianba Village are primarily those of Yi women, as men no longer wear traditional attire. Women’s clothing predominantly features dark blue colors, with emerging hues of purple and pink.
Luo Le Dance (挝乐)
This dance is mainly found in the minority areas of Xiyang and Shuanghe. During off-seasons, local people express joy and engage in exchanges through dance, typically involving young men and women. They gather around a bonfire, playing instruments such as the moon guitar (月琴) and sanxian (三弦), singing and dancing in a style that varies from rugged to graceful.
Mountain Songs (山歌小调)
Mountain songs are a form of expressing thoughts and emotions, though few people can still sing them. They primarily include large Yi tunes (大彝调), small Yi tunes (小彝调), and buckwheat tunes (点荞调). Additionally, folk embroidery and instrumental music, along with Yi residential styles and production customs, are still actively practiced. In 2005, the Tianba Yi Cultural Protection Area was listed in the intangible cultural heritage protection catalog of Kunming City (昆明市).
Site Location and Layout
The ancient village of Tianba showcases strong Yi cultural characteristics. With a long history and profound cultural deposits, it has preserved numerous traditional buildings that are similar in shape but distinctive in features. The village harmoniously integrates with the terrain and landscape, and continuous improvements have enriched its cultural environment and highlighted its scenic landscape. The residential architecture in Tianba Village adopts various decorative techniques while maintaining a basic layout, creating elegant living spaces that reflect the high cultural quality and artistic accomplishment of the local residents.
The site selection and construction of Tianba Ancient Village adhere to the principles of Feng Shui (风水) based on the Book of Changes (周易), emphasizing a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature. This theory highlights the dual needs for material and spiritual aspects, resting on a scientific foundation and a high aesthetic concept.
Historical Development
After 1949, it belonged to the First Security of Neidian Township (内甸乡第一保) in Kunyang County (昆阳县). In 1950, it was part of the Fourth District of Huachuan Township (荒川乡) in Kunyang County. In 1959, it became part of the Dongfanghong Commune’s Huachuan Management Area (东方红公社荒川管理区) in Jinning County. In 1961, it was designated as Tianba Team of Shuanghe Commune (双河公社田坝大队). It was restructured as an administrative village in 1983 and became Tianba Yi Township (田坝彝族乡) in 1984. In 1988, it was renamed Tianba Office (田坝办事处), and on March 1, 2000, it was changed to Tianba Village Committee (田坝村民委员会).
Honors and Rankings
- In September 2020, the Yunnan Provincial Forestry and Grassland Bureau (云南省林业和草原局) announced the first batch of provincial-level forest villages, and Tianba Village was included.
- In December 2018, Tianba Village was listed among the health villages in Yunnan Province.
- In August 2013, Tianba Village was included in the second batch of traditional Chinese villages.
Attractions and Activities:
- Jiucun River (九村河)
- Yalang Drum (秧佬鼓)
- Luo Le Dance (挝乐)
- Mountain Songs (山歌小调)
