Derung
Encyclopedia
The Derung people are an ethnic group
. They form one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China
. Their population of 6,000 is found in the Nujiang Autonomous Prefecture
of Yunnan
province, in the Dulong valley. Another 600 can be found east of the Dulong valley, living in the mountains above the Nu Jiang (Salween River
) near the village of Binzhongluo in northern Gongshan County.
, a Sino-Tibetan language. Their language is unwritten; in the past the Derung have transmitted messages and have made records by making notches on wooden logs.
, the Derung were under the jurisdiction of the kingdoms of Nanzhao and Dali
.
Later on, from the Yuan dynasty
to the Qing dynasty
, the Derung were governed by the local heads of the Naxi. In 1913, the Derung helped to repel a British attack in the area.
Until 1949 there were several names used for this ethnic group; they received names as Qiao during the Yuan dynasty and Qiu and Qu during the Qing dynasty.
The typical dress of the women consists of a dress made in fabric lined on colors black and white. Formerly, the women used to tattoo their faces when they reached the age of twelve or thirteen. The tattoos of some women resembled masculine mustaches.
Houses are usually constructed out of wood. They are two stories in height; the second floor is designed as the living quarters for the family whereas the first level serves as a barn and stable. When a male member of the family is married, a new section is added to the family's house where he and his new wife will live in.
, the vast majority continue to believe in their animist native religion. There is a belief that all the creatures have their own souls. Usually diverse sacrifices are made in order to calm down the malignant spirits.
The role of the shaman is of great importance since they are the ones in charge of the rituals. During the celebrations of the Derung New Year, which is celebrated in the month of December of the lunar calendar, diverse animal sacrifices are celebrated to make an offering to the sky.
Ethnic group
An ethnic group is a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, often consisting of a common language, a common culture and/or an ideology that stresses common ancestry or endogamy...
. They form one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. Their population of 6,000 is found in the Nujiang Autonomous Prefecture
Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture
Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture is an autonomous prefecture of Yunnan Province, southwestern China.-Name:It is named after the Nujiang river and the Lisu ethnic group.-Administration:...
of Yunnan
Yunnan
Yunnan is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the far southwest of the country spanning approximately and with a population of 45.7 million . The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders Burma, Laos, and Vietnam.Yunnan is situated in a mountainous area, with...
province, in the Dulong valley. Another 600 can be found east of the Dulong valley, living in the mountains above the Nu Jiang (Salween River
Salween River
The Salween is a river, about long, that flows from the Tibetan Plateau into the Andaman Sea in Southeast Asia. It drains a narrow and mountainous watershed of that extends into the countries China, Burma and Thailand. Steep canyon walls line the swift, powerful and undammed Salween, one of the...
) near the village of Binzhongluo in northern Gongshan County.
Language
The Derung speak the Derung languageDerung language
Derung is a Tibeto-Burman language of the Derung people of China. The Derung have no written language. It is believed that the Derung and Nu people are of the same origin and speak somewhat the same language. They share the same kinship terminology as well as other cultural features.-External...
, a Sino-Tibetan language. Their language is unwritten; in the past the Derung have transmitted messages and have made records by making notches on wooden logs.
History
There are few documents about the origins of the Derung. It is known, nevertheless, that during the period of the Tang dynastyTang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
, the Derung were under the jurisdiction of the kingdoms of Nanzhao and Dali
Kingdom of Dali
Dali or Great Li was a Bai kingdom centred in what is now Yunnan Province of China. Established by Duan Siping in 937, it was ruled by a succession of 22 kings until the year 1253, when it was conquered by an invasion of the Mongol Empire. The capital city was at Dali.- History :The Kingdom of...
.
Later on, from the Yuan dynasty
Yuan Dynasty
The Yuan Dynasty , or Great Yuan Empire was a ruling dynasty founded by the Mongol leader Kublai Khan, who ruled most of present-day China, all of modern Mongolia and its surrounding areas, lasting officially from 1271 to 1368. It is considered both as a division of the Mongol Empire and as an...
to the Qing dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
, the Derung were governed by the local heads of the Naxi. In 1913, the Derung helped to repel a British attack in the area.
Until 1949 there were several names used for this ethnic group; they received names as Qiao during the Yuan dynasty and Qiu and Qu during the Qing dynasty.
Culture
Prior to the formation of the People's Republic, Derung society was based on a system of clans. A total of 15 clans existed, called nile; each one of them was formed by diverse familiar communities. Each clan divided itself into ke'eng, towns in which the Derung lived in common houses. Marriages between clans were prohibited.The typical dress of the women consists of a dress made in fabric lined on colors black and white. Formerly, the women used to tattoo their faces when they reached the age of twelve or thirteen. The tattoos of some women resembled masculine mustaches.
Houses are usually constructed out of wood. They are two stories in height; the second floor is designed as the living quarters for the family whereas the first level serves as a barn and stable. When a male member of the family is married, a new section is added to the family's house where he and his new wife will live in.
Religion
Although some Derung have converted to ChristianityChristianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, the vast majority continue to believe in their animist native religion. There is a belief that all the creatures have their own souls. Usually diverse sacrifices are made in order to calm down the malignant spirits.
The role of the shaman is of great importance since they are the ones in charge of the rituals. During the celebrations of the Derung New Year, which is celebrated in the month of December of the lunar calendar, diverse animal sacrifices are celebrated to make an offering to the sky.
External links
- http://chinanewswrap.com/2009/07/31/the-last-tattooed-women-of-the-dulong-people/#more-2699 Last tattooed women of the Dulong people (China News Wrap, English)
- http://yn.xinhuanet.com/pic/2009/wmn/index.htm Last tattooed women of the Dulong people (Original Chinese article, with larger number of photographs)
- http://www.paulnoll.com/China/Minorities/min-Drung.html Paul Knoll description with photographs