Unique Farming customs of Shui Ethnic Group
The Shui ethnic group has a long-standing tradition of paddy-planting farming in hillside fields. Despite modern agricultural changes, many traditional customs are still practiced by Shui peasants, some of which offer valuable insights into sustainable farming. Below are key aspects of their unique agricultural practices.
Traditional Paddy Farming
The Shui economy has relied on hillside paddy farming for over 150 years, with paddy fields covering 80% of cultivated land. Although modern methods have been introduced, the Shui people maintain unique agricultural customs that align with green farming practices.
Collecting and Spreading Manure
Shui farmers use chemical fertilizers, but they also continue the traditional practice of manure collection, which reduces costs and environmental impact. They keep cattle in folds and mix dung, grass, and soil to create compost. This sustainable practice, where cattle naturally mix the components, provides nutrient-rich manure for their fields.
Raking Tools for Soil Preparation
Shui farmers use unique tools for soil preparation:
- Boat Rake: A wooden, boat-shaped rake used to smash mud lumps, level the soil, and ensure water distribution. If pulled by people, stones are placed in the boat for pressure; if pulled by cattle, a person stands in it to guide the process.
- Stone Rake: This tool is a rectangular stone with carved lines, used to flatten the field rather than rake it.
These specialized rakes help improve the quality of the soil and ensure even water distribution for rice planting.
Irrigation Techniques
The Shui people take advantage of natural conditions for irrigation by building small reservoirs in valleys or river dams to store water. They dig ditches to channel water from springs and streams to their paddy fields. Traditional water-promotion devices, such as the tube wheel and turning wheel (also known as the dragon bone wheel), are still used in areas where the fields are higher than the water source.
“Huolutou” Farming Custom
In Shui culture, the “Huolutou” (meaning “leader of farming”) plays a vital role in the farming process. Major agricultural activities like plowing, transplanting, and harvesting are initiated only after the Huolutou performs symbolic tasks on a lucky day. This custom emphasizes the importance of agriculture and reflects the community’s respect for the Huolutou’s experience in judging the best times for farming, often based on weather patterns.
Gender-Based Division of Labor
There is a clear division of labor between men and women in Shui agricultural practices. The saying “women don’t plough, and men don’t transplant rice seedlings” is strictly followed. Physical tasks like plowing and reinforcing ridges are carried out by men, while women handle transplanting, cutting, and carrying rice. In cases where a family lacks male labor, women disguised themselves as men and plowed fields at night to avoid reproach.
Connection to the Land
Generations of Shui people have transformed their mountainous homeland into picturesque terraced fields. These landscapes, with flowing streams, vibrant fruit gardens, and tiered wooden houses, reflect the beauty of their connection to nature and the countryside. Their agricultural practices, rooted in tradition, have helped shape the harmonious balance between rural life and modern development.
