Xiangxi Culture

Xiangxi, the prefecture-level city of Hunan, is not only fascinating with local culture and human landscapes, but also its colorful ethnic customs, simple folk customs, unique regional culture, such as farming, festivals, costumes, diet and daily life, weddings and funerals, architecture, language, religious beliefs, etc. constitute a rich and colorful folk customs picture for your Xiangxi Travel.

Ethnic Groups in Xiangxi

 As the only minority autonomous prefecture, Tujia and Miao ethnic groups make up nearly eighty-five percent of Xiangxi's total population. The Miao people living in Jishou City still maintain their traditional folkways. What's more, Yao, Dong and Bai people can be found here.

Traditional Villages in Xiangxi

• Hangji Village of Hangsha Township in Baojing County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
• Hangsha Village of Hangsha Township in Baojing County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
• Lvdong Village of Hangsha Township in Baojing County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
• Tizi Village of Hangsha Township in Baojing County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
• Banghai Village of Hangsha Township in Baojing County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
• Huangjin Village of Hulu Town in Baojing County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
• Tang'ao Village of Chatian Town in Fenghuang County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
• Lahao Village of Duli Township in Fenghuang County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture

For more information, please refer to Traditional Villages in Xiangxi

Inheritors of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Xiangxi

For more information, please refer to Inheritors of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Hunan

Corpse Driving Culture in Xiangxi

Xiangxi, a very mysterious place in the western Hunan Province as we all know, has the widespread legends the corpse driving, casting Gu poison and walking on sabers and fire, among which the most unbelievable one is the first--- the Witchcraft of Driving Corpse. Legend has it that thousands years ago, the ancestors of the Miao soldiers fought against with the Yellow Emperor tribes in The Yellow River area, until corpses laying everywhere and blood flowing like a stream. Chi You (the leader)commanded the military counselor to practice witchcraft. All of a sudden, the dead body lying on the ground all at once stood up, following he" guiding tally' with spell held by Chi You and going southward in order. Finally all these corpse had arrived at home and been buried under their own soil. And this craft also has been handed down from generation to generation as it said.

Architecture Culture of Xiangxi

In Xiangxi, there are unique regional culture and aesthetic features. Especially, the architectural and decorative elements are important parts of local decorative features. The components of folk buildings in Xiangxi include gable and roof ridge decoration, doors and windows, murals, roof beams and pillars are separately analyzed in detail. The decorations have the obvious geographical characteristics. It also can be found that building decorations not only have aesthetic attributes but also cultural connotations such as pursuit of happiness, disaster prevention, moral education, etiquette and other meanings. The traditional architectural parts and decorative elements in Xiangxi have a great significance in historical and cultural levels, and owns the values of aesthetic and modern application as well.

Yang Opera in Xiangxi

Yang Opera, a local operetta, is popular in Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture and has absorbed the nutrition of the splendid culture of the minorities, like Miao. No obvious signs in local chorography can show the exact time when Yang Opera took shape. According to the memory of the old Yang Opera artists, it had shaped up since two centuries ago. In terms of artistic styles, Yang Opera falls into two schools, popularizing in northern and southern Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture respectively. Developing from folk songs and dances, Yang Opera has been affected by the artistic forms of Flower Lantern Opera, Nuo Drama and Chenhe Drama. Most themes of Yang Opera mirror the local life. Rooted in the folk songs and dances of operas, its performance is featured with distinct local flavor, like Flower Lantern Opera in Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture

Miao Drum Dancing

Miao drum dancing, whose origins are in sacrificial rituals, was traditionally performed in Guizhou, Hunan and other provinces with a high Miao population. But with modern civilization wiping out old norms and customs, it has lost much of its luster among the younger generations.