Yongxing Village of Shili Town in Fengqing County, Lincang

1. ‌Overview and Ethnic Composition‌

  • ‌Administrative Affiliation‌:
    Yongxing Village belongs to ‌Shili Township‌, ‌Fengqing County‌, ‌Lincang City‌, ‌Yunnan Province‌, and is listed in the ‌4th Batch of Chinese Traditional Villages‌. It comprises 5 villager groups with 252 households (1,108 people), all engaged in agriculture, and 450 laborers (360 in primary industries).
  • ‌Ethnic Groups‌:
    Fengqing County is multi-ethnic, with Han, Yi, Bai, Miao, and 19 other minorities. Given Shili Township’s proximity to Weishan Yi-Hui Autonomous County, Yongxing Village is likely ‌Yi-majority‌, possibly mixed with ‌Bai‌ and others.

2. ‌Historical Roots‌

  • ‌Yi Ethnicity‌:
    The Yi people trace ancestry to the ancient Qiang tribes, migrating from the Dianchi and Qiongdu regions. The Nanzhao Kingdom (8th century) accelerated cultural integration, forming agrarian societies.
  • ‌Bai Ethnicity‌:
    Originating from indigenous洱海 groups and Di-Qiang tribes, the Bai consolidated during the Tang Dynasty (“Dafeng people”), heavily influenced by Han culture.

3. ‌Cuisine‌

  • ‌Yi Specialties‌:
    • Staple foods: Corn and buckwheat; ‌bitter buckwheat cakes‌ are iconic.
    • Meat dishes: ‌Tuotuo meat‌ (boiled chunks with dip) and ‌lamb hotpot‌ for festivals.
  • ‌Bai Specialties‌:
    • Preserved ham and pickles; ‌Three-Course Tea‌ (bitter, sweet, aftertaste) symbolizes hospitality.
  • ‌Local Delicacy‌:
    ‌Shili Ham‌, made from free-range pork, is a must-buy for tourists.

4. ‌Traditional Attire‌

  • ‌Yi Clothing‌:
    Liangshan-style garments feature right-lapel coats, wool capes, and pleated skirts in black/red/yellow, adorned with nature-inspired patterns (e.g., ferns, fire sickles).
  • ‌Bai Clothing‌:
    White-based outfits; women’s headdresses incorporate “wind-flower-snow-moon” motifs, with tie-dye (blue-white designs) as intangible cultural heritage.

5. ‌Customs and Traditions‌

  • ‌Yi Practices‌:
    • ‌Rotating Wine‌: Sharing liquor in circles, symbolizing unity.
    • ‌Torch Festival‌ (6/24 lunar): Fire-lit dances to ward off evil.
  • ‌Bai Practices‌:
    • ‌Raosanling‌: Spring prayer parades with singing.
    • ‌Benzhu Festival‌: Worship of village deities, featuring temple fairs.

6. ‌Architecture‌

  • ‌Yi Dwellings‌:
    ‌Wooden-slab houses‌ (Liangshan) or ‌rammed-earth structures‌ (southern Yunnan), adapted to mountainous climates.
  • ‌Bai Dwellings‌:
    “Three-Bay-One-Screen-Wall” layouts with intricate carvings, akin to Dali’s Noudeng Village.

7. ‌Handicrafts‌

  • ‌Bai Silverware‌:
    Heqing artisans craft tea sets and jewelry with renowned engraving techniques.
  • ‌Yi Lacquerware‌:
    Red/black/yellow-painted wooden bowls and cups, featuring religious motifs.

8. ‌Language and Religion‌

  • ‌Languages‌:
    Yi: Tibeto-Burman language branch, some use Yi script; Bai: Incorporates archaic Chinese, uses Han characters.
  • ‌Religions‌:
    Yi: Animism, rituals led by “Bimo” priests; Bai: Benzhu worship, blending Buddhism/Daoism.

9. ‌Tourism Recommendations‌

  • ‌Festivals‌: Join the Torch Festival (July) or Benzhu fairs for ethnic performances.
  • ‌Food‌: Try Shili Ham, buckwheat cakes, or Yi-style meat feasts.
  • ‌Workshops‌: Visit silver studios or try tie-dye crafting.