The Old Han of Ji Chang Tu

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Hello everybody,

Around 600 years ago, a region in China just outside Kaili had a rebellion: they wanted to break away from the Han Empire. The Emperor sent in the military. The soldiers married the local women and today the descendants form this community. In many ways, not much has changed in 600 years.

Enjoy the pictures.



再见

Donna

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Photos

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The women wear robes of purple, pink or blue with wide black belts. An unmarried woman wears her hair in a ponytail.

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A married woman wears a white turban-type head covering. She is conveying to her husband that she will love him until her hair turns white. The woman wears a black turban when she becomes a grandmother. If the foreheads look high, it is because as part of the pre-wedding preparations, she has the hair above her forehead pulled out .

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Many of the young people have left the village to find work. The older generation enjoys a quiet life.

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This village was built as a fortress. High walls, narrow alleyways and very small windows.

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This is one of the oldest buildings. Notice the passageway that connects the two buildings. The buildings are limestone and the mortar was sticky rice mixed with clay.

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The traditional dance is a carry over from military origins. It is very loud and aggressive to scare the enemy. They wear a black covering over their faces with a mask on top. White mask was the bad guy, red was short tempered, blue was sneaky, black was brave.

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These embroidered shoes were worn by the women when the men were off doing battle. They would sew blades in the pointed toes to protect themselves by kicking any invaders.

Comments

[Gretchen Huntley]

Hair
I find it fascinating that the hair tells such a wonderful story in the lives of these women. Expression is such an amazing thing and can be conveyed in so many ways.

[Marion]

Great pictures today. Sitting in Tokyo waiting for flight to home sweet home. Thanks for the great company and laughter.

[silvana]

Hi Donna
Am enjoying your emails and photos of china. Wish I were there to see these things in person. Looks like you are having a really good time.Talk to you when you get back and hope to see more photos of the places you visited. take care Silvana