Eighteen Oddities in Yunnan
Yunnan is the most multi-ethnic province in China. The Yi, Bai, Zhuang, Dai and Naxi, Tibetan, Yao and other minorities inhabit Yunnan, which accounts for one third of the population Yunnan. The geography, special climate and colorful ethnic customs endow Yunnan with many oddities, among which the following eighteen are the best-known:
Eggs are tied up with herbs and sold in rope-like cluster
Bamboo hats are used as pot cover
Mosquitoes are so large that three could make a dish
Bamboo is used to make water pipes for smoking
Zanba, a local specialty made of rice, is literally called Er’kuai
People wear the same clothes all year round because of the favorable climate
Young girls are called “Old Lady”
Automobiles move faster than trains
Toes are exposed all year round
It rains here but suns there, because the weather is different from that in the area a few kilometers away.
Girls wear flowers in every seasons
Children are raised by men since women in Yunnan are diligent and hard-working, and thus men stay at home to look after their children
Old women climb mountains faster than monkeys
Stone caves are as beautiful
Cross bridge rice noodles, a specialty in Yunnan, is loved by everyone
Flowers blossom all year round
Green vegetable is called “bitter vegetable”
Girls carry tobacco bags
Dian Opera
Dian Opera is a kind of local opera in Yunnan Province, which integrates various traditional Chinese operas introduced into Yunan during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor during the Qing Dynasty. Dian opera exhibits Yunnan features, which was begun in 1821 and is prevalent throughout the Yunnan, Sichuan and Guizhou regions.
Dian opera is features exquisite presentation and lively language. Although originating from Shaanxi, Anhui and Han opera, Dian opera differentiates from them after years of developing its own features, which integrates the dialects, local custom and folk songs of Yunnan. The operatic tune of Dian opera is resounding, mellow and cheerful.
Dian opera includes three kinds of tunes, namely, Stringed tune, Xiangyang tune and Huqin tune. Instruments for Xiangyang tune and Huqin tune are both dominated by the Chinese violin, while stringed tune utilizes the musical-saw. Apart from those, there are also other instruments accompanied, such as Erhu, Suona horn, flute and the like.
During the reign of Guangxu during the Qing Dynasty, Dian opera was widely spread among counties of Yunnan province. By the time of the Republic of China, it had pervaded the whole province. After the People’s Republic of China was founded, Dian opera had created many plays reflecting daily life of such the Bai, Dai, and Hani people of China, which are highly regarded by the public. Special attention is paid to singing, dancing and rhythm in Dian opera.
Kunming Tune
Kunming tune is a kind of folk singing. It has many forms such as folk song, ditty and ballads, which is prevalent in the suburb of Kunming City. No make-up is required for Kunming Tune. Kunming is a multi-ethnic city inhabited with different ethnic minorities who have different singing styles.
The Tune of the Han people in Yunnan has diverse forms. Forms of Han tune generally include solo, duet and antiphony singing between men and women, each of which are sung while working in the field. The theme of the tune is mainly focused on wisdom, love and extolling the nation. To the Sani people, a branch of the Yi minority, the tune is usually sung regarding festivals, social relations, love, as well as working.
After People’s Republic of China was founded, the tunes of Yunnan were further developed, which is typically accompanied by musical instruments. The most well-known Yunnan tunes in China include “Singing Folk Songs”, “Horse Driving Tunes”, “Rippling Brook”, and “Flooding Rivers” and others.
Wax Printing
Wax printing is a traditional skill prevalent among the ethnic minorities in Yunnan province. The procedure for wax printing is quite sophisticated. Dip the knife into the melted wax and draw delicate patterns on a piece of white cloth, then dye the cloth blue. After the cloth is dyed, take the wax away, and the exquisite patterns drawn before are revealed clearly on the cloth.
Moreover, the wax layer cracks naturally while being dyed, which creates the special ripples on the cloth, making the patterns more vivid and life-like. With its unequaled features, varied patterns, elegant colors and unique style, wax printing is widely applied in cloth-production.
Wax printing is prevalent in Yunnan, particularly among the Miao and Bai ethnic minorities. The Miao People possess unparalleled weaving skills passed down from generation to generation. Cloth made by the Miao People is tender, tightly-woven, high-quality and durable, which has enjoyed a great reputation over the centuries.
With unbeatable weaving skill, the wax-printed works of the Miao people are marvelous and enchanting. Wax printing in Yunnan usually takes local scenery and folk custom as its main material, in which such patterns as peacocks, elephants, camellias and cuckoos are often applied. Wax printing in Yunnan, as a folk art, has become a tourist souvenir and export commodity, which contributes a lot to the development of Yunnan economy.
