Village of Yi Ethnic Minority in Yunnan Ethnic Villages, Kunming
Overview
The Village of Yi Ethnic Minority in Yunnan Ethnic Villages (云南民族村–彝族村寨) covers over 50 acres. A significant feature is the “Three Tigers Relief Wall” and the “Tiger Mountain” sculptures, which highlight the Yi people’s cultural reverence for tigers. The central square, known as the Sun Calendar Square, features a totem pole adorned with symbols of the sun, tiger, fire, and the Eight Trigrams (八卦). Surrounding the square are ten moon-like sculptures, each representing different lunar phases, and the 12 Chinese zodiac animal statues.
The village is home to a complex of traditional Yi-style earthen houses called “Tuzhang Houses” (土掌房), built along the mountain, showcasing the harmonious relationship between the Yi people and nature. The village also includes a Tusi Courtyard (土司院), a cultural building, a Youth House (知青房), a winery, and an embroidery workshop.
Key attractions in the village include:
- Bullfighting Arena (斗牛场): A traditional sport of the Yi people.
- Tea Garden (茶山园): Visitors can relax in the tea garden.
- Cultural Celebrations: Yi festivals such as the Torch Festival (火把节), Yi New Year (彝族年), and others are celebrated with lively events like dancing, horse racing, and wrestling.
The Torch Festival (火把节) is the most famous festival of the Yi people. It typically takes place from the 24th to 26th day of the sixth lunar month. During the festival, people of all ages dress in traditional attire, make sacrifices to the spirits, and dance, sing, and celebrate through the night with torches, circling houses and fields before gathering around a bonfire to dance.
Historical Background of Yunnan Ethnic Villages
The Yunnan Ethnic Villages were established in 1992 and were one of the first scenic areas to receive a 4A national tourist attraction rating.
The Significance of the Tiger
The massive tiger head sculpture symbolizes the Yi people’s admiration and worship of tigers. Within the tiger head is a statue of the Yi shaman ancestor, Bimo (毕摩), holding an eagle-headed staff. Bimo is believed to be the creator of the Yi script. The word “Bimo” in Yi translates to “reciting scriptures” and “wise elder.” These shamans perform rituals, prayers, and sacrifices, and they also preserve and teach the Yi language, compiling and copying Yi texts.
Sun Calendar Square (太阳历广场)
The Yi solar calendar divides the year into five seasons, each with one male and one female month. Every month has 36 days, making a total of 10 months and 360 days. Additionally, there are 5-6 days for the New Year celebrations. The Yi solar calendar is recognized for its simplicity and is considered a cultural treasure in Chinese civilization.
In the center of the square, the totem pole is carved with images of the sun (太阳), tiger (虎), fire (火), and the Eight Trigrams (八卦). Surrounding it are sculptures of the 12 zodiac animals and ten moon sculptures representing the source of life.
Cultural Displays and Traditional Costumes
The village showcases the vibrant culture of the Yi people. Men are commonly referred to as “Ahei Ge” (阿黑哥), while women are called “Ashima” (阿诗玛). Visitors can also admire the exquisite traditional Yi clothing, known for its colorful patterns and vibrant designs.
The village adopts a method of restoring and displaying traditional Yi architecture, life, and customs, creating an immersive experience of the diverse ethnic cultures of Yunnan. The various ethnic minority villages are harmoniously arranged with unique styles and rich cultural expressions, making this area a microcosm of Yunnan’s ethnic culture.
Attractions in the Village
- Bullfighting Arena (斗牛场): A venue for traditional Yi bullfighting competitions.
- The Twelve Zodiac Animal Statues (十二生肖): Located around the Sun Calendar Square, these sculptures represent the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac.
- Tuzhang Houses (土掌房): Traditional Yi-style homes constructed from earthen materials.
- The Tree Stump and Clover Discovery: Visitors often search for four-leaf clovers in the surrounding green spaces, considered a sign of good luck.
Yi Culture Highlights
The mysterious connection between the Yi people and the sun is displayed in the Sun Calendar Square (太阳历广场), while the red Tuzhang Houses (红色掌房) demonstrate the Yi’s ancient and optimistic civilization. The giant wine vats further reflect the Yi’s hospitable nature.
Three Tigers Relief Wall (三虎浮雕墙)
This artistic wall features the image of the Yi ancestor along with representations of tigers and eagles, illustrating the deep cultural symbolism of these animals in Yi mythology. The abstract tiger figures express the artistic and cultural uniqueness of the Yi.
Scenic Overview of Yunnan Ethnic Villages
Yunnan Ethnic Villages are a masterful combination of scenic beauty and cultural heritage. The landscape of the village features an intricate mix of water and land, with village houses nestled among shaded paths, pavilions, arch bridges, and stone steps, all connected to the lakeside avenue of Dianchi Lake (滇池). Visitors can explore winding routes through the scenic area, discovering new and captivating views at every turn.
Ecological and Animal Features
The water hyacinth (水葫芦), known for absorbing heavy metal ions, once posed an ecological threat but is now repurposed as animal feed.
Elephant Show Park (吉象园)
Covering 11 acres, the Elephant Show Park (吉象园) includes a performance area, elephant housing, and activity zones, making it one of the largest facilities in China for Asian elephant care and performances. Visitors can get up close to the elephants and watch fascinating shows.
The King of Thailand’s Coconut Trees (泰王贡椰)
Within the village, there are Thai royal coconut trees (泰王贡椰), symbolizing friendship and cultural exchange between Yunnan and Southeast Asian countries.
Conclusion
The Village of Yi Ethnic Minority in Yunnan Ethnic Villages offers an authentic, immersive experience of the Yi people’s culture, with its striking architecture, rich traditions, and deep reverence for nature. From the majestic totem pole in the Sun Calendar Square to the vibrant celebrations of the Torch Festival, visitors are invited to explore the diverse world of one of Yunnan’s most unique ethnic groups.
Chinese poetry and sayings inscribed in the village remain as a testament to the Yi people’s ancient wisdom and traditions:
- “日月天地，生生不息” (The sun and the moon, heaven and earth, life continues endlessly.)
