Introduction and Origin of Dehong Prefecture Dai Folk Paper-cutting
The Dai ethnic group is a unique ethnic minority in Yunnan, with a population of approximately 1.1238 million. It is a relatively large ethnic group among the ethnic minorities in Yunnan. They are mainly distributed in the arc-shaped area near the border in southwestern Yunnan Province, and in areas bordering Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam. They live in large mixed communities and small families. Judging from archaeological data and records in Han and Dai literature, as early as the Qin and Han Dynasties, Dai ancestors lived in Dehong Prefecture and had begun to engage in farming. In the process of historical development of the Dai people in Yunnan Province, their ancestors are also known by multiple ethnic names in historical materials.
Tracing back to their ethnic origins, the ancestors of the Dai people belong to the Baiyue ethnic group, the largest ethnic group in the south of ancient my country. It is called "Shan" in "Book of the Later Han·Biography of Southwest Yi"; "Man Shu" written by Fan Chuo of the Tang Dynasty calls it "black teeth", "gold teeth", "embroidered feet" and "embroidered faces" based on its characteristics. "And so on ("black teeth" and "gold teeth" are actually a custom of decorating teeth. Today, most Dai people still dye their teeth black with various plants to be beautiful, or chew betel nut for a long time to cause black teeth, or use gold to decorate their teeth. Silver tooth covers decorate the teeth. "Embroidered feet" and "embroidered faces" are tattoos, a custom that is still very popular among the Dai people). They were called "Gold Teeth" and "White Clothes" in the Song Dynasty, and were written as "Bai Yi" in the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. After the Qing Dynasty, they were often called "Pai Yi", but they always called themselves "Dai". The "tongsheng trousers" and "yaoluolong" or uniform skirts in historical materials are the traditional costumes of Dai women; the so-called "loud residence" has always been the traditional building of the Dai people, a gantry-style building. These are the ancient Yue people and todays The common cultural characteristics of the Dai people.
The paper-cutting handicraft of the Dai people originated from the Dai people in YunnanDistrict, mainly popular in Luxi City, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. There is no way to verify its origin, but the form of Dai paper-cut handicraft originated from the paper flags used in sacrificial ceremonies. Its development history coexists with the historical and cultural development of the Dai people. The use and manufacture of paper by the Dai people originated in the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. Before the popular use of paper, the material used to cut and carve patterns was mainly cloth. In the "Beiye Sutra" of the Dai people and some ancient narrative poems that have been passed down for thousands of years, there are mentions of using leaves to carve patterns to worship the Buddha. This shows that the skill of cutting and carving patterns has been around for a long time. To this day, long flags, lanterns and Buddhist umbrellas with patterns carved out of stacks of cloth are still preserved. Other materials such as gold, silver and silk are also commonly used for cutting and carving. According to historical records, the funerals of the Dai people usually use colorful animals for funerals, paper-cut decorations for coffins and sedans, and the ceremony is very grand. It was after Buddhism was introduced to the Dai area from the second half of the 14th century to the 15th century AD that paper-cutting developed into a complete form and was widely used. It was gradually enriched and developed under the influence of Buddhist culture and Central Plains culture. Its application range involves religious sacrifices, Buddha worship, funerals, celebrations and home decoration. Dai paper-cutting handicrafts are mostly used in religious activities and religious sites. The decorations in Dai temples are mainly: on doors, eaves, walls, pillars, niches, flags, umbrellas and other places.
