The Dai people, peoples of other minority nationalities, and the Han people each occupy one third of the total population of Xishuangbanna. They live harmoniously together and accept each other's customs and traditions.

Dai language and culture

Dai people are the dominant ethnic group in Xishuangbanna. Dai is an ancient nationality whose language was created over 1000 years ago with the infiltration of Hinayana Buddhism to the region. Historically, only men were able to study the written language in Buddhist temples. Buddhist scriptures were inscribed on Beiye, tree leaves of an indigenous tropical plant. The written language was thus been passed down from a thousand years ago through Beiye scripture. Dai people are famous for their enthusiam for art and beauty, reflected in their costumes, dances, cuisine and architectures.

Dai-style dwellings

Dai-style dwellings are notable sights all over Yunana province, for their exquisite and practical design. A typical Dai house consists of two levels, the lower level for feeding livestock, the upper level as living quarters for the family. This structure can protect against wild animals and keep the occupants from drowning during the rainy season. Once construction of a new house is finished, monks in the village are invited to host a religious ceremony in the new house to bless the home and its owner.

Water-splashing Festival

Among about a hundred minority festivals in Yunnan province, the Dai people's Water-splashing Festival is the most unusual. The grandest festival is held in Jinghong County (known as Yunjinghong among the Dai people).

It is held every year on April 15th or the third day of the new year by Dai Calendar. The festival's activities include dragon—boat racing, shooting off skyrockets, and throwing love-pouches. Water splashing brings the festival to a climax, that people from homeland and abroad splash water over each another for benediction.

Puerh Tea

Xishuangbanna is the historic cradle of plant tea and is the homeland of the famous Puer Tea, whose immense health benefits have been recognized in recent years. Puerh is harvested from old, large leaves, undergoing several unique processing steps, then stored underground to allow them to age properly, sometimes up to 50 years!

(Text by Ai Su Photo source:bannaok.com)

source:crienglish.com