Qishuping Qiang Village

Qishuping Qiang Village

Qishuping Qiang Village

Qishuping Qiang Village is located at the northernmost tip of Tao Ying Township in Jiangkou County, approximately 50 kilometers from the county seat. It is the only Qiang ethnic village in Guizhou Province where the community lives together as a clan. The villagers mainly bear the surname Hu, originally hailing from Mao Wen in Sichuan Province. They have lived here for over 10 generations, spanning nearly 500 years. A representative folk custom is celebrating “Qiang New Year,” which falls on the first day of the tenth lunar month each year. On this important festival, everyone gathers together to celebrate. The main activities include: as Qiang New Year approaches, every household slaughters pigs and sheep, makes noodles, grinds tofu, and pounds glutinous rice cakes. They put up spring couplets and hang red lanterns. Dressed in festive attire, people of all ages choose a spacious flat ground in the village to set up an altar. The entire community participates in the ceremony, bowing in reverence to their ancestors and deities as directed by the ritual leader. This is followed by singing, dancing, or drinking za wine. Finally, Qiang villagers and guests from near and far gather at a spacious home for a banquet. Tables are arranged from the main hall all the way out to the courtyard, where Qiang locals and visitors alike feast and drink heartily to celebrate Qiang New Year in a lively and joyous atmosphere.