She Ethnic Group

Cultural Events Held in Fujian to Celebrate 2019 'Sanyuesan Festival'

Cultural Events Held in Fujian to Celebrate 2019 'Sanyuesan Festival'

Cultural Events Held in Fujian to Celebrate 2019 'Sanyuesan Festival'

Cultural Events Held in Fujian to Celebrate 2019 'Sanyuesan Festival'

Cultural Events Held in Fujian to Celebrate 2019 'Sanyuesan Festival'

Cultural Events Held in Fujian to Celebrate 2019 'Sanyuesan Festival'

Cultural Events Held in Fujian to Celebrate 2019 'Sanyuesan Festival'

Cultural Events Held in Fujian to Celebrate 2019 'Sanyuesan Festival'

Cultural Events Held in Fujian to Celebrate 2019 'Sanyuesan Festival'

Cultural Events Held in Fujian to Celebrate 2019 'Sanyuesan Festival'

Cultural Events Held in Fujian to Celebrate 2019 'Sanyuesan Festival'

The She Ethnic Group (畲族) is one of the oldest ethnic minorities in southeastern China. The She people call themselves “Shanha,” meaning “guests of the mountains.” According to the Seventh National Census, the total She population is around 708,000, mainly living in the mountainous regions of Fujian Province (福建省), Zhejiang Province (浙江省), Jiangxi Province (江西省), Guangdong Province (广东省), and Anhui Province (安徽省), with smaller communities in Guizhou Province (贵州省) and Hunan Province (湖南省).

The She language belongs to the Miao-Yao branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. The ethnic group does not have its own written script and traditionally uses Chinese characters. Oral storytelling, mountain farming traditions, phoenix totems, folk songs, and forest culture form the heart of She heritage, making the She people one of China’s most representative mountain-dwelling communities.

Main Distribution Areas of the She Ethnic Group

The She population follows a pattern of “large-scale dispersion with concentrated settlements.” Fujian Province (福建省) and Zhejiang Province (浙江省) remain the two largest cultural centers of She heritage.

Additional She communities can also be found in Ganzhou (赣州) and Ji’an (吉安) in Jiangxi Province (江西省), as well as Chaozhou (潮州) and Heyuan (河源) in Guangdong Province (广东省).

Traditional She Clothing and Mountain Architecture

Phoenix Costume (凤凰装)

Traditional She ethnic clothing mainly uses dark blue, black, and indigo colors with handwoven linen fabric and detailed embroidery. The most iconic outfit is the women’s Phoenix Costume, decorated with phoenix, floral, and geometric embroidery around the collar, cuffs, and front panels.

Women wear layered pleated skirts, red headscarves, silver hairpins, necklaces, and waist chains that symbolize the ancient phoenix totem. Men traditionally wear blue-black jackets, loose trousers, black turbans, and embroidered belts.

The elaborate embroidery techniques seen in villages such as Dajun Village (大均村) in Jingning County (景宁县) and Banyueli Village (半月里村) in Ningde (宁德) are among the most visually recognizable elements of She culture.

Traditional Wooden Mountain Houses

Traditional She villages are usually built deep in mountain forests beside streams and tea hills. Homes are constructed with rammed earth and timber, often designed as two-story stilted houses adapted to humid mountain climates.

The lower floor is used for storage and livestock, while the upper level serves as the family living area. Steep roofs help drain heavy rainfall common across southeastern China.

Historic villages such as Xianyuanli Village (仙源里村) in Fu’an City (福安市) and Dajun Village (大均村) in Jingning County (景宁县) still preserve complete Ming- and Qing-era residential architecture.

Marriage Traditions and Folk Customs

Traditional She weddings are famous for mountain love songs and “road-blocking singing rituals.” Before entering the bride’s village, the groom’s party must answer folk songs sung by the bride’s relatives. Only after successfully responding can the wedding procession continue.

Before marriage, the bride performs the emotional “crying marriage” custom while preparing embroidered ribbons, silver jewelry, and Black Rice (乌米饭) as part of the dowry. Wedding banquets feature long-table feasts, traditional dances, and all-night antiphonal singing.

She Intangible Cultural Heritage

She Folk Songs (畲族民歌)

She Folk Songs are listed as a national intangible cultural heritage of China. Without a written script, the She people preserved history through oral singing traditions for centuries. The famous epic Gaohuang Song (高皇歌) records the origin stories and migration history of the She people.

The rare two-part harmony singing style known as “Shuangyin” remains one of the oldest surviving mountain folk music traditions in China.

Silver Ornament Craftsmanship

Traditional She silver jewelry craftsmanship uses hand-forged techniques known as the “Nine Crafts and Eighteen Methods.” Phoenix and butterfly patterns are the most common decorative themes.

She Ribbon Weaving

Colorful woven ribbons made from red, yellow, blue, white, and black silk threads are important symbols of She identity. These ribbons often feature phoenix and Panhu totem motifs and are used for clothing, gifts, and ceremonial decorations.

Black Rice Making Tradition

The preparation of Black Rice (乌米饭) is one of the most important culinary traditions during the “Third Day of the Third Lunar Month” festival. Glutinous rice is dyed naturally using leaves from the Chinese blueberry plant, creating a dark purple color and herbal aroma.

Bajing Martial Arts

Bajing Boxing (八井拳) from Bajing Village (八井村) in Luoyuan County (罗源县) combines self-defense movements with traditional mountain fitness culture.

Major She Festivals

Third Day of the Third Lunar Month (三月三)

The most important She festival is held on the third day of the third lunar month. The celebration honors the She hero Lei Wanxing (雷万兴) and includes:

• Eating Black Rice (乌米饭)
• Mountain song competitions
• Phoenix costume performances
• Bonfire parties
• Ancestor worship ceremonies

Large celebrations are held in Ningde City (宁德市) and Jingning County (景宁县) every year, attracting thousands of visitors.

Second Day of the Second Lunar Month (二月二)

This traditional gathering festival allows families and neighboring villages to reunite through singing, gift exchanges, and clan ceremonies.

Fenlong Festival (分龙节)

Held after the summer solstice, this agricultural festival focuses on dragon worship and prayers for good harvests and favorable weather.

Ancestor Worship Festival

During the Lantern Festival period, entire villages gather at ancestral halls to worship Panhu (盘瓠), the legendary ancestor and phoenix totem figure of the She people.

She Beliefs and Cultural Taboos

Core Beliefs

The She people traditionally practice:

• Phoenix and Panhu totem worship
• Ancestor worship
• Nature worship involving mountains, forests, rivers, and stones

Many villages preserve ancient ecological traditions and prohibit the destruction of sacred forests or water sources.

Important Taboos

Visitors should respect several local customs:

• Avoid wasting food, salt, or water
• Do not touch ceremonial objects casually
• Avoid loud behavior during ancestor rituals
• Do not wear all-white or all-black clothing during festivals
• Ask permission before photographing elders or ceremonies

Famous She Cuisine

Black Rice (乌米饭)

The signature dish of She cuisine, Black Rice, is steamed glutinous rice dyed with herbal leaf juice. It has a glossy dark-purple appearance and a soft fragrance.

Guan Leaf Rice Dumplings (菅叶粽)

Traditional dumplings wrapped in mountain grass leaves are especially popular during the Dragon Boat Festival.

Ciba Rice Cake (糍粑)

Made from pounded sticky rice, Ciba (糍粑) is grilled or fried and served with brown sugar.

She Smoked Pork (畲族腊肉)

Locally raised pork is salted, smoked, and air-dried in mountain villages, creating rich smoky flavors that pair well with bamboo shoots and rice.

Shanha Rice Wine (山哈酒)

Traditional low-alcohol rice wine is commonly served during festivals and family gatherings.

Pickled Vegetables and Ginger

Fermented ginger and vegetables preserved in rice wine lees remain popular side dishes throughout She mountain communities.

Best She Cultural Attractions and Villages

Museums

• China She Ethnic Museum (中国畲族博物馆) in Jingning County (景宁县), Zhejiang (浙江)
• She Museum of China Ethnic Culture Park (中华民族园畲族博物馆) in Beijing (北京)
• Luoyuan She Folk Culture Exhibition Hall (罗源畲族文化民俗展示馆) in Fuzhou (福州)

Core Scenic Areas

Shexiang Window Scenic Area (畲乡之窗) — Dajun Village (大均村)

Located in Jingning County (景宁县), this 4A scenic area preserves ancient streets, covered bridges, traditional residences, wedding performances, and riverside trade culture.

Yunzhong Daji Scenic Area (云中大漈)

This high-mountain village area includes Shisi Temple (时思寺), Xuehuaji Waterfall (雪花漈瀑布), ancient cedar forests, and mist-covered valleys.

Banyueli Village (半月里村)

Located in Xiapu County (霞浦县), Ningde (宁德), this 600-year-old She village is often called “The First She Village of China.”

Houdun Village (猴盾村)

A nationally protected traditional village in Jiaocheng District (蕉城区), Ningde (宁德), famous for She polyphonic folk songs and tea mountain scenery.

Famous Traditional She Villages

• Dajun Village (大均村) in Jingning County (景宁县)
• Eshan She Village (莪山民族村) in Tonglu County (桐庐县)
• Xianyuanli Village (仙源里村) in Fu’an City (福安市)
• Houdun Village (猴盾村) in Ningde (宁德)
• Bajing Village (八井村) in Luoyuan County (罗源县)

Ancient She Towns

Dajun Ancient Town (大均古镇)

A thousand-year-old commercial town in Jingning County (景宁县) known for ancient docks, old streets, and She folk culture.

Muyang Ancient Town (穆阳古镇)

Located in Fu’an City (福安市), this historic market town remains an important cultural center for eastern Fujian’s She communities.

Best Time to Visit She Villages

• March to May: Tea harvesting season and spring mountain scenery
• August to October: Golden rice terraces and harvest festivals
• Third Day of the Third Lunar Month: Best annual cultural experience with singing festivals and bonfire celebrations

Recommended 3-Day She Culture Itinerary

Day 1 — Jingning She Culture Experience

Morning:
Visit China She Ethnic Museum (中国畲族博物馆) to learn about She history, costumes, and intangible heritage.

Afternoon:
Explore Shexiang Window Scenic Area (畲乡之窗) in Dajun Village (大均村), including traditional wedding performances and old streets.

Evening:
Stay in a local She guesthouse, enjoy Black Rice (乌米饭) and Shanha Rice Wine (山哈酒), and listen to mountain folk songs.

Day 2 — Mountains and Ancient Villages

Morning:
Visit Yunzhong Daji Scenic Area (云中大漈), including Shisi Temple (时思寺) and Xuehuaji Waterfall (雪花漈瀑布).

Afternoon:
Experience traditional crafts in Dongnong She Village (东弄畲寨), including ribbon weaving and rice cake making.

Evening:
Walk through local food streets in Jingning County (景宁县) and taste smoked pork and pickled mountain dishes.

Day 3 — Ningde She Villages in Fujian

Morning:
Visit Banyueli Village (半月里村) and explore its ancient houses and She museums.

Afternoon:
Continue to Houdun Village (猴盾村) to hear traditional “Shuangyin” mountain songs and explore tea hills.

Evening:
Return journey.

Essential Cultural Experiences

• Learn traditional ribbon weaving and silver crafting
• Join mountain singing festivals
• Taste authentic Black Rice (乌米饭) and She long-table banquets
• Stay in traditional wooden guesthouses
• Explore tea mountains and forest villages
• Watch She wedding performances and bonfire gatherings

Travel Tips for Visiting She Villages

Transportation

Main transportation hubs include Ningde City (宁德市) in Fujian and Jingning County (景宁县) in Zhejiang. High-speed rail connections and self-driving routes are convenient for reaching most She villages.

Clothing

Mountain temperatures can change quickly, so light jackets and comfortable walking shoes are recommended. During festivals, visitors can rent traditional Phoenix costumes for photography.

Cultural Etiquette

Always ask permission before photographing elders, ceremonies, silver ornaments, or ritual objects.

Accommodation

For the best cultural experience, stay in traditional She guesthouses in Dajun Village (大均村), Dongnong Village (东弄村), or Banyueli Village (半月里村) to experience authentic mountain village life.