Shibajia Yao Village

Shibajia Yao Village

Located in Shibajia Natural Village, Zhongliang Township, Jinxiu County, about 25 kilometers northeast of the county town, it is a settlement of the Panyao people. The village is situated on the mountainside of a river valley, surrounded by towering peaks and lush pine and cypress trees. A small stream meanders in front of the village, creating a serene environment. Most Yao homes are built along the mountainside, with bamboo drying racks in front of each house. The villagers often wear traditional ethnic costumes, especially the women, whose attire is particularly vibrant. They wear colorful silk ribbons around their heads, and their garments are embroidered with exquisite patterns, accessorized with silver and jade ornaments. During major festivals such as the Spring Festival and the Panwang Festival, the villagers sing and dance to the sound of drums and music.

The five subgroups—the Chashan Yao, Panyao, Aoyao, Shanzhi Yao, and Hualan Yao—form a rich and colorful tapestry of Yao culture. The surrounding mountains have turned the Dayaoshan region into an isolated paradise, allowing it to preserve its ancient, simple, and splendid Yao folk culture and vibrant local traditions.

Duji (coming-of-age initiation), is a religious ritual practiced by all five Yao subgroups in Jinxiu that involves the transmission of spiritual powers. This ceremony primarily includes three aspects: the teaching of magical skills, the passing on of traditional culture, and moral education. The initiates are typically boys aged around sixteen or seventeen. After completing the ritual, they are believed to attain the ability to “ascend spiritually and communicate with deities and spirits,” thus becoming qualified to participate in religious ceremonies. There are two types of initiates: those initiated as Shifu (exorcists), who expel evil spirits, and those initiated as Dao Gong (ritual masters), who conduct soul-release ceremonies for the deceased.

The folk arts of the Yao people mainly include weaving, embroidery, carving, dancing, and music, forming an important part of Yao cultural heritage.

The living environments of the various Yao subgroups in Jinxiu differ greatly, and their architectural structures and home layouts also vary based on the environment, lifestyle, and functional needs. The diverse forms of housing and distinct living conditions of the five subgroups together create the rich and distinctive architectural culture of the Yao people in Jinxiu, which is an important component of the area’s Yao cultural tourism resources.

The 16th day of the 10th lunar month is the most grand festival of the Yao people in Jinxiu. It is a major traditional celebration for the Yao to honor their ancestors.