Yunnan, a place that lingers in people's hearts and minds, has beautiful mountains, beautiful water, and even more beautiful people. There are many ethnic minorities here, and the beautiful scenery and strong cultural atmosphere make many people linger. I am a place that doesn't like to join in the fun. I have walked through the snowy nights of Dali, stayed in the streets of the ancient city of Lijiang, and admired the magnificent Hani terraced fields. But what left the deepest impression on me is the green triangle of Pu'er.
I believe that many people are still familiar with Pu’er tea, but when you come to this city close to Myanmar and Laos, you will find that there are too many reasons that make you reluctant to leave. Here you must experience the unique customs of the Wa, Dai, and Lahu peoples, explore the tropical rainforest and pay homage to Long Mo, the ancestor of the Wa people, walk into Lao Dabao, the birthplace of country music, and get intimate with the red panda and slow loris s contact.
What I want to tell today is the story about the Buddha here in Menglian. There is the earliest Buddhist temple in the ancient town of Nayun in Menglian. The local people divide the Buddhist temple here into upper, middle and lower. When you walk into the main entrance of the Buddhist temple, you can learn about their beliefs and stories from the surrounding wood carvings and flower carvings.
Since Menglian is next to Myanmar, the buildings here are full of Southeast Asian style while retaining the original ethnicity. Here you can see many people wearing local ethnic costumes shuttle here, and they usually come here to pray for blessings in their free time.
Whether it is a local or a foreign tourist, praying and worshiping here is still very particular. Women need to take off their shoes before going up the steps, while men need to take off their shoes when entering the temple. Loud noises are not allowed here, and of course camera shooting is not allowed here, because these requirements are passed down from ancestors.
The Menglian Xuanfu Department here is located outside the west gate of Yinglian County. It was built in 1406 and is the government office of the Dai chieftain Dao family. From the Ming Dynasty to the Republic of China for more than 500 years, a total of 28 generations of hereditary chieftains exercised their ruling power here. In these courtyards, many clothes and objects used by the early Menglian people are still preserved.
Here I learned the story of Menglian Xuanfu Department, and also watched a local performance: Xuanfu Court Etiquette Music and Dance. They use the most characteristic dance of their own nation to express the traditional living customs handed down from the early days to the present to the outsiders.
The Menglian Xuanfu Department experienced the rule of the hereditary chieftain of the Dai nationality, which lasted from the Ming and Qing Dynasties to the period of the Republic of China for more than 500 years. In 1254, the Mongolian army invaded the border and forced the subjects of a local regime, Mengmao (now Ruili), to move south. At that time, the four ministers of the court divided into three groups to find a new residence, so they found Hegu Pingba: Menglian, which means "a good place to find" in Dai language.
Those sitting in the back seats are all local elders, wearing local costumes, and various instrumental music and dances are integrated. The graceful girls and the masculine boys described the story and life of this nation for us through dance.
Although Menglian Xuanfu Department has a long history, it still retains the characteristics and charm of the Dai nationality. It contains rich and colorful chieftain culture of the Dai nationality, as well as religious buildings, food, clothing, festivals, music, dance, folk customs and other cultures. It has precious historical value. and artistic value.
It also houses the largest Buddha statue in the area, and it is also the most sacred place. When we went that day, we happened to meet one of their ceremonies, and the elders and children from the surrounding villages came here. For us, these unfamiliar cultures still need to be expressed with a heart of admiration.
From the faces of the old people, we can see the traces of the years. Facing us foreign tourists, they still respond to us with the most sincere and bright smiles. Different nationalities have the same kind heart.
When you walk through a city, you will always have a plot of reluctance. The city of Menglian is not as lively as Lijiang, nor as artistic as Dali, but it has a familiar and friendly feeling. I couldn't fully understand and understand its story during the short trip, and the regrets left behind may be for the next encounter!