Village of Dai Ethnic Minority in Yunnan Ethnic Villages, Kunming
Introduction to the Dai Village
The Dai Village (傣族村寨) is the first village you encounter upon entering the Yunnan Ethnic Villages in Kunming. Covering an area of 27 mu (around 4.5 acres), the village is surrounded by water on three sides, nestled amidst lush greenery. The village features traditional Dai-style stilted bamboo houses, connected by winding red sandstone paths that lead to a solemn Burmese-style temple (缅寺). The village showcases notable architectural landmarks, including a grand white pagoda (白塔), an intricately designed wind-and-rain bridge (风雨桥), and other structures such as the rain pavilion (风雨亭), well pavilion (水井), and bell pavilion (钟亭), which embody the vibrant Dai culture.
History and Culture of the Dai People
The Dai people (傣族) are one of China’s oldest ethnic groups, with a rich history and culture. They mainly reside in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州), Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (德宏傣族景颇族自治州), and the river valleys of the Lancang River (澜沧江). With a population of approximately 1.2 million, the word “Dai” in the Dai language means “freedom,” reflecting the people’s love for freedom. The Dai people have their own script, which belongs to the Tai-Kadai language family under the Sino-Tibetan languages. The Dai are known for their musical talents, love for dancing, and deep connection to water, which plays an integral part in their daily lives.
Architectural Highlights
The village’s architecture revolves around key elements such as the white pagoda (白塔), residential buildings (民居楼), craft houses (工艺楼), cultural halls (风情楼), and dining halls (风味楼). Smaller decorative features such as the water pavilion (泼水亭), well pavilion (水井), bell pavilion (钟亭), and the wind-and-rain bridge (风雨桥) add charm to the village’s overall landscape. The surrounding tropical plants—palm trees, banana trees, coconut trees, and sisal—enhance the village’s beauty, creating a lush, vibrant atmosphere.
Dai-Style Stilted Bamboo Houses
The “Dai-style stilted bamboo houses” (干栏式傣家竹楼) are traditional homes that perfectly reflect the Dai people’s lifestyle. These two-story structures have the living quarters on the upper level and spaces below for livestock and storage. The design is well-suited to the tropical environment, providing protection from heat, allowing airflow, and offering resistance to pests. The simplicity and natural beauty of the bamboo houses make them distinctive. A typical house features a cool platform for relaxing, washing, and entertaining. Inside, the space is divided into two sections: the outer room serves as a guest room and family activity center, while the inner room is used as a shared sleeping area. Dai homes often display fishing baskets, hunting rifles, and spinning wheels as part of their interior decor.
Burmese-Style Temple (缅寺)
A unique feature of the Dai Village is the Burmese-style temple, known as the “Mian Temple” (缅寺). This temple complex includes several structures such as the Buddha Hall (佛殿), the Water Pavilion (泼水亭), and the monk’s platform (僧台). The Buddha Hall is where monks chant scriptures and the Dai people worship Buddha. In front of the temple is the Water Pavilion, home to a ten-meter-long brightly painted wooden dragon (彩龙), which is supported by a bamboo frame. During the annual Water Splashing Festival (泼水节), people use this dragon to pour water and bless each other, a ritual symbolizing purification and the wish for happiness and good fortune.
Buddhism in Dai Culture
The Dai people are devout followers of Theravada Buddhism (上座部佛教), also known as Hinayana or Pali Buddhism. It is one of the three major schools of Buddhism in China and is widely practiced in the southwestern regions of Yunnan, particularly in Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), Dehong (德宏), and Simao (思茅). Other ethnic groups like the Blang (布朗族), Achang (阿昌族), and De’ang (德昂族) also follow this religious tradition.
Dai Cultural Festivals
The most significant cultural activity in the Dai Village is the annual Dai New Year celebration known as the Water Splashing Festival (泼水节). This joyous and lively event is the highlight of the village’s cultural calendar.
Water Splashing Festival (泼水节)
The Water Splashing Festival, also called the “Bathing the Buddha Festival” (浴佛节), is the most important celebration for the Dai people. It is also a traditional festival for the Blang (布朗族), De’ang (德昂族), and Achang (阿昌族) ethnic groups, commonly observed in the southwest and southern parts of Yunnan. The festival originated in India and spread to China through Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos along with the spread of Buddhism. According to local legend, the water splashing tradition began when seven maidens washed away the blood of an evil demon they had defeated. The festival takes place around the Qingming Festival and lasts for one to five days.
On the morning of the festival, young men and women climb the hills to gather wildflowers and tree branches to create offerings, which they carry to the temple. There, they construct a sand pagoda and decorate it with bamboo poles wrapped in colored paper. After listening to the monks chant prayers, people splash each other with water as a blessing for good luck and a bountiful harvest. It is said that the more water someone receives, the more blessings they are given. Other activities during the festival include bag-tossing games, releasing sky lanterns (点孔明灯), launching rockets (放高升), and singing and dancing.
Visitors are welcome to experience the festivities firsthand in mid-April, along with other traditional Dai celebrations such as the Opening the Gate Festival (开门节) and Closing the Gate Festival (关门节).
Closing Thoughts
The Dai Village in the Yunnan Ethnic Villages is a vibrant and immersive experience for anyone interested in exploring the culture, architecture, and festivals of the Dai people. From the intricately designed bamboo houses to the joyous Water Splashing Festival, the village offers an authentic glimpse into the life and traditions of one of China’s most culturally rich ethnic groups. Visitors are sure to leave with a deeper appreciation for the history and customs of the Dai people.
