Traditional folk houses in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan

Bamboo House Generally, a bamboo house has 32 bamboos, each with its own name. The root in the bedroom is called sharp width (soul column); Whispering by the fireplace; The one in the middle is called cymbidium (middle column). Upstairs, there are colored paper and wax strips, which the old man relied on when he died. People are not allowed to lean on it at ordinary times, nor are they allowed to hang things. Downstairs, no horses; A broken dream in the corridor is the support of a new grandfather when he misses his parents at home. The grass roof of the bamboo building is said to be inspired by the ancestors of the Dai nationality, who saw swallows making nests with grass. In order to thank the swallows, a post was set up on the balcony for them to nest and rest.

Why do Dai people build tile houses and bamboo houses? There are many legends, mainly two points: first, Xishuangbanna produces bamboo, which is relatively easy to use local materials; Second, in feudal times, only aristocratic families could build tile houses, and ordinary people were not allowed to build them, otherwise they would be confiscated and fined. However, there are thatchs everywhere in Xishuangbanna, which are light and durable and suitable for bamboo building structures. Perhaps this is the real reason for replacing shingles with grass.