Ma Street

　　Weining Ma Street is a natural village inhabited by the Yi ethnic group, under the jurisdiction of Yun Gui Township, Weining County, Guizhou Province, located 85 kilometers north of the county seat.

　　The ancient village is located in a plateau hilly area at an altitude of 2,400 meters, where the mountains are gently sloped and locally referred to as “Cool Mountains.” The slopes are covered with tall trees such as Korean pine and dawn redwood, which remain lush all year round; the shrubbery includes azaleas and camellias; the depressions are filled with green grass and abundant water plants, where cattle and sheep grow strong. Due to its high altitude, the area enjoys long hours of sunlight, large temperature variations between day and night, clear weather, and fresh air, offering the classic scenery of the northwestern Guizhou plateau.

　　Currently, the village has over 20 households, with around 80 residents. The main surnames are An, Li, Luo, and Long. Except for those with the surname An, the villagers refer to themselves as the “Qing Yi,” known in the Yi language as “Guosu.” The main festivals are the Yi New Year, the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Torch Festival. Every year during the Tiger Month (the seventh month of the lunar calendar), the Yi people celebrate the Torch Festival. On this day, young men and women dress in their finest clothes to participate in activities such as bullfighting, horse racing, and wrestling. In the evening, all villagers carry torches symbolizing the expulsion of evil and disease, parading around the fields and through the mountains—a spectacular sight. People of all ages are fond of singing folk songs, including love songs, ceremonial wine songs, funeral songs, children’s songs, and narrative songs. Dances include the ceremonial wine dance and the bell dance, with varied melodies and movements. They also play the moon lute and perform with leaf whistles.