Shemi Lake Folk Culture Village

　　     "Shemi Lake" is a Tujia term meaning "a small hill bathed in sunlight." It is 60 kilometers from the county seat and 10 kilometers from Baifusi Town, accessible via the Baishi Highway. Shemi Lake is the birthplace of the revival of the Tujia Hand-Waving Dance. On the hillside to the north of the village lies an ancient hand-waving hall, commonly known as the "Spirit Hall," covering an area of over 500 square meters in a rectangular shape, enclosed by courtyard walls built with mountain stones. The main gate is located at the center of the front wall, resembling a memorial archway, with two vertical stone pillars and a horizontal lintel, all in long cylindrical shapes. Each side is inlaid with a crescent-shaped stone. A cypress tree is planted in the center of the courtyard, providing a convenient spot to hang red lanterns during the dance. The walls of the Spirit Hall are also made of stone blocks, topped with "A"-shaped black tiles, simple, solid, unadorned, and rustic. Inside the hall are statues of the Tujia ancestors: Peng Gongjue, Xiang Laoguan, and Tian Haohan. The existing stone tablets were erected during renovations in the 27th year of the Daoguang reign (1847) and the 2nd year of the Tongzhi reign (1863) of the Qing Dynasty. During festivals, sacrificial ceremonies are held in the hall, followed by joyful performances of the Hand-Waving Dance.

　　     In 1956, the Hand-Waving Dance was discovered and revived in Shemi Lake Village. It was subsequently performed at regional and provincial levels. The renowned ethnologist Pan Guangdan attended the performance and spoke highly of it, contributing significantly to the recognition of the Tujia ethnic group. Since then, like a seed, it quickly spread across counties and cities in the Wuling Mountain area, becoming a representative art form of the Tujia people. At that time, Shemi Lake’s “small hand-waving” included only four movements: “Single Wave,” “Double Wave,” “Sowing Seeds,” and “Eagle Spreading Wings.” Its characteristics include “moving in the same direction, bending knees, trembling, and sinking,” swinging the same-side hands and stepping with the same-side feet, using body twists to drive hand movements, with arm swings not exceeding shoulder width, exuding a majestic and vigorous aura. Its style is simple, robust, bold, and fresh, presenting an early glimpse into the life of the Tujia people.

　　     Shemi Lake Village has a deep Tujia cultural heritage. In addition to the Hand-Waving Dance, traditional practices such as dancing the Ma Dance, singing folk songs, and weaving Tujia blankets have been passed down through generations. All villagers are descendants of Peng Gongjue. With the unique settlement layout of the Hand-Waving Hall, sound walls, and Tujia village, when the drums sound, villagers gather to perform the Hand-Waving New Year rituals, reflecting a cultural essence of reverence, celebration, joy, and harmony. Every man, woman, and child in the village can perform the Hand-Waving Dance, and there is no shortage of master dancers, including Peng Changsong, a master of folk arts in the entire prefecture, and Peng Chengjin, known as the “Tujia Drum King.” The Shemi Lake Hand-Waving Dance team has performed multiple times in Beijing and abroad, and their performances were documented in the film *The Spirit Hall*, which was broadcast nationwide, earning them fame across China.

　　     Shemi Lake Village boasts beautiful scenery. Every household lives in stilted buildings, with rock courtyards and stone-paved paths leading to each home. The village center houses a folk museum. Terraced fields surround the village, producing tribute rice, tobacco, and watermelons. The village is dotted with lush ancient trees, especially many golden-thread nanmu trees. Shemi Lake Village is now recognized as a Traditional Chinese Village and a Provincial Model Village for Ethnic Unity and Progress.