Qiang customs

Data map: Qiang customs The Qiang people call themselves "Rima","Ribiao" or "Ruma" and "Erma", which belong to the same name. "Qiang" belongs to other names, Congyang and Congren, which means "Xirong Shepherd". Historically, the Qiang people were famous for raising sheep, so the Qiang people had a very close relationship with sheep, and they still retain the custom of worshiping "divine sheep". Qiang language belongs to the Qiang branch of the Tibetan-Burman family family, divided into two major dialects, north and south. The southern dialect is spoken in Fengyi and Tumen Districts of Mao County, Weizhou and Mianchi Districts of Wenchuan County, Tonghua and Xuecheng District of Li County; the northern dialect is spoken in Shaba, Chibu Suqu District, Zhenjiang and Riwu District of Songpan County, most areas of Heishui and Beichuan County. There are a number of local languages in each dialect, and even the pronunciation differences between adjacent villages are obvious. Therefore, there is a saying that "five miles are different from each other, and ten miles are different from each other." The Qiang people along the highway and close to Han and Tibetan areas generally understand Chinese or Tibetan. Historically, since the Qiang people did not have their own written language, Chinese was commonly used in Qiang areas. In 1989, the creation of Qiang literature was on the right track and has now entered the trial and promotion stage.

Data map: Qiang customs

Data map: Qiang customs Qiang people have good traditional rituals such as respecting the elderly, hospitality, ceremonial ceremony, and martial arts. The Qiang society shows respect for the elderly and the elderly in all aspects of its social life. In the past, when weddings and funerals gathered to drink wine, the oldest person would first write the altar opening poem and say auspicious words. Immediately, the jar was opened to drink first, and then the wine was drunk in the order of elders and young people. Even the village head, regiment chief and township chief did not come first. When the old man enters the house, the people in the house must stand up to welcome him and give up their seats. At the banquet, the old man sits down, and only after he sits down can others sit down. When encountering an old man on the road, he must turn sideways to make way; when encountering an old man on horseback, he must get off his horse and salute. When performing mass songs and dances, the elderly often lead the singing and dancing. This etiquette and custom were inherited and carried forward after the founding of New China. The Qiang people have always been courteous and hospitable. There is a saying of "three ceremonies: tobacco, wine, and tea". In some areas, when distinguished guests arrive, they must fire guns to welcome them, invite relatives and neighbors to accompany them, drink wine together, and sing songs and dances to add fun. Guests do not enter the side room or go upstairs at will in the main home.