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Mountain nomads find a home
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ANCESTOR worship plays an important role in She society.
The She ethnic group numbers around 708,651 people, who are scattered around Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Guangdong provinces.
The She language belongs to the Miao-Yao group of the Sino-Tibetan phylum. It is similar to the Hakka language, one of the seven dialects in China. They do not have their own written language although Chinese script is widely applied.
Some scholars believe She and Yao people share the same origins as offspring of “Wulingman” in Hunan Province in the Han (206 BC-AD 220) and Jin (AD 265-420) dynasties. Others believe the Shes are descendents of the ancient Bouyei people.
She was first recognized as an ethnic group in the late Song Dynasty (960-1279). They called themselves “shanke,” or mountain visitor, which implies they were nomad farmers in mountain areas.
They also worship Panhu, who they believe is the common ancestor of all Shes. Panhu is also known Gao Huang and the King of Loyalty and Courage.
It is said Panhu was reincarnated from a young dragon in the East Sea. He married the emperor’s third daughter after helping him defeat the enemy. The couple led a happy life in the mountains and had three boys and a girl, surnamed Pan, Lan, Lei and Zhong. They remain the most common surnames among She people today.
Panhu worship consists of the stories about the king’s birth, famous battle victories and death. Zutu, or paintings of the ancestors, comprise 40 pictures based on these stories that is passed down from generation to generation. A zutu is always hung in the ancestral hall while a dragon-head stick is kept by each big family as a witness of democracy. The head of the family will be beaten by the dragon-head stick if he is found guilty of corruption or favoritism.
Shes have also incorporated elements of Taoism and Han Buddhism. In recent years, some have converted to Roman Catholicism or Christianity.
Shes worship the phoenix as the bird of luck. According to a legend, the divine bird brought the third princess a beautiful wedding dress.
On big occasions, She women will wear a phoenix dress. There are three kinds of phoenix dresses depending on a woman’s age. A small phoenix set is for young woman. They coil their hair on top of their heads and tie it with red wool thread, leaving bangs drooping over the forehead. Their sleeves and collars are embroidered with narrow patterns on the edges. A girdle is bound toward the back on the waist, representing a phoenix tail.
Married women usually wear a big phoenix set, featuring a bigger hair-bun and more colorful clothing patterns. The old-fashioned phoenix set is for older women, with smaller hair-bun and simpler colors and patterns.
The men wear similar clothes to Han people.
Most She people reside in hilly regions 500 to 1,500 meters above sea level in a subtropical climate. With plenty of rain and warm weather, they usually grow rice, sweet potatoes, wheat, beans, tobacco and potatoes. They usually also live in famous tea producing regions.
“Lu Qu” is a wine that dates back 1,200 years. Mountain herbs and flowers are added to the white spirit to produce the wine’s unique taste.
Singing is popular. They often sing while working and resting. They may also sing rather than speak to express love to each other. A friendly battle of wits often takes place through songs.
During a wedding ceremony, the bridegroom traditionally can only receive each dish by singing a song. For example, if he needs a pair of chopsticks, he must sing the “Song of Chopsticks.”
Grand singing shows are popular at various festivals. The most popular tunes include “The Songs of Gaohuang,” which tells of the origin and migration of the people, as well as “Zhongjingqi” and “Lantianyu,” which are based on folk stories.
The Shes share much in common with Han people regarding the festivals. They celebrate the Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Moon Festival and even Double Ninth Festival although their customs sometimes differ.
For example, on the first day of Chinese New Year, elders always sing “The Song of Gaohuang.” On the second day, young men hike up mountains and offer sacrifices to the god of hunting.
They also celebrate some unique festivals. The Huiqin Festival, or meeting relatives, is usually held on the second day of the second lunar month.
The Wufan Festival is celebrated on the third day of the third lunar month. During this festival, people cook black rice to commemorate soldiers.
She
Population: 708,651 (2010 national census)
Distribution: Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Guangdong provinces
Language: Miao-Yao group of the Sino-Tibetan phylum
Religion: Taosim and Han Buddhism
Food: Rice, sweet potatoes, wheat, beans and potatoes
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