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February 15, 2015

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Achang knives are a cut above

THE Achang ethnic group in southwest China is known for its people’s beautiful, sharp and flexible Achang knives and delicious rice-related cuisines.

With a population of 39,555, the Achang live mostly in Yunnan and Guizhou provinces. There are three government-approved ethnic autonomous townships including Husa Township in Longchuan County as well as the Nangsong Township and Jiubao Township in Langhe County of the Dehong Dai-Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture.

The Achang people originated from the ancient Di-Qiang people, who once lived in the Jinsha, Lancang and Nujiang river valleys in northwestern Yunnan. Some of them moved west of the Nujiang River, and settled down on the Husa Plain in Longchuan; while some others moved along Yunlong, Baoshan, Tengchong, and finally settled down at Lianghe areas.

The term of “Achang” first appeared in documents in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), which is possibly when the ethnic group took shape. It was set as the official name of the group only after the foundation of the People’s Republic of China.

The Achang language belongs to the Tibetan-Burmese Language Group, Chinese-Tibetan Language Family. Without their own written language, most Achangs use Mandarin instead.

There are generally three dialects — Longchuan, Lianghe and Luxi, with much difference in pronunciation and vocabulary though featuring little difference in grammar. Some Achang people may also use Dai language or Mandarin when communicating with other ethnic groups.

Living at the intersection areas between mountains and plains in Yunnan Province, the Achang people enjoy a typical southern sub-tropical monsoon climate, fitting for producing rice, corn and potatoes.

The Achang people eat rice, pork, chicken, fish, vegetables and fruit. They like sour and spicy seasoning, especially for dried pickles.

Rice is often made into er si and mi xian, both noodle-shaped foods. Home-made rice wine and tea are popular drinks, especially when treating guests.

Guoshou mixian, literally crossing-hand rice noodle, is a special cuisine of the Achang in Husa township. The noodle is made of locally grown soft rice, featuring a soft yet tenacious texture. Baked ground pork mixed with vinegar, garlic and ginger paste, roasted ground peanuts and cooked ground peas are used as seasoning.

To eat guoshou mixian, one should first put rice noodles on the palm, add the seasonings, roll the rice noodles and have it wrap the seasonings.

For traditional attire, unmarried women wear white or bluish dark-colored jackets with buttons down the front and trousers. Married women usually wear narrow long-sleeved coat and black knee-deep pail form skirts, puttees, and black or blue scarves. Silver necklaces and earrings are popular decorations among Achang women.

They also like dying their teeth black by chewing betel nuts.

The Achang men wear blue, white or black jackets with buttons down the front, and wide black trousers. Unmarried young men usually wear white scarves, while the married chose black. For occasions like fairs or celebrations, the Achang men often take self-weaved bags called “Tongpa” and “Husa knife” with them.

Husa knives, also known as Achang knives, have been produced for more than 600 years and are one of the most well-known handicrafts of the group. With military craftsmen in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) stationed in the region marrying local women, advanced manufacturing techniques were carried on and developed within the group.

The products include sabers, choppers, daggers and swords. All feature beautiful appearance and sharp edges. The knives, which can be rigid or flexible, can be worn around the waist when not used.

Like many other ethnic groups, the Achang people enjoy a rich variety of folk songs. “Wo Luo” is the traditional type of music, featuring clear and strong beats.

“Deng Wo Luo” is an Achang folk dance that goes well with “Wo Luo” music. All the dance moves imitate animal gestures, such as “Two Phoenixes Heading East,” “Two Dragons Walking,” “The Sun Holding Umbrella,” “The Moon Wearing Hat” and “Golden Dragon Rotating Lanterns.”

Most Achang people believe in Hinayana (Little Vehicle Buddhism), with the coexistence of Mahayana (Big Vehicle Buddhism), Taoism and animism.

Many of the Achang festivals are related to the Little Vehicle Buddhism, including Gan Bai Festival, Water Sprinkling Festival, Jin Wa Festival, Chu Wa Festival and Watering Flowers Festival.

Wo Luo Festival, celebrated on the fourth day of the first month of the traditional lunar calendar, is the most important.

A “Wo Luo Platform” is always set up on the Wo Luo ground before the festival. On that day, the Achangs assemble on the Wo Luo ground, listening to senior singers singing the great achievements of the ancient ancestors of the Achangs. Then they join the Wo Luo Dance circling around the Wo Luo Platform.




 

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