Traditional Sports

Traditional sports of the Buyi have developed along with the production and life practices of the Buyi people. Its continuity and development are linked with language,customs, festivals, lifestyles, religious beliefs, codes of conduct, values. The Buyi sports serve as an outlet of their feelings and thoughts, moreover, is an important part of traditional Chinese sports.

The unique geography and landscape have created the cultural characteristics ofthe Buyi people, who worship nature with reverence, take care of ecology and decorate life with happiness. The traditional sports of the Buyi people are closely related to the production,social struggle and daily life.. Most ofthe sports activities are carried out during the farming season and festivals, and they have strong ethnic characteristics.

The Buyi people are ingenious. Their batik fabric production has a long history, which feature beautiful patterns and are artworks and collectibles popular at home and abroad.Their traditional sports include horse race, flower bag throwing, spinning top, swing and iron chain.

(1) Swing

Swing is a traditional sport item popular among the Buyi people. It’s popular among men and women, old and young.

The swing of Buyi can be divided into two forms, namely Guanyin swing and Jiaban swing. Guanyin swing, also called cross swing, resembles a waterwheel. During the game,four players turn on the swing. At night, it will be funnier when a lantern is tied onto the swing. It’s suitable for men and women, old and young. Jiaban swing, also called Moqiu.During the game, one player turns the swing board touching the ground, while the other player tilts upward and perform different actions. It’s particularly popular among the youth,which can be played by a man and a woman at the same time.

(2) Lion Dancing

It’s a folk custom activity held by the Buyi people on important festival occasions. It’s an artistic form of skills and entertainment. Lion dancing is held by the Buyi people on important occasions such as Spring Festival, building of a new home, or a funeral. The lion body is usually made with linen, while the head is made with bamboo and pasted with paper, before it’s painted with colors. During the lion dancing, it’s generally accompanied by gong, drum and cymbals. The most wonderful part of lion dancing is the overlaying of 12 big square tables on the ground. Accompanied by the sounds of gong, drum and suona,the lion dancing performers who have mastered some martial art gradually climb up on the tables and perform some actions when reaching every table until they reach the 12th one.At this time, the lion dancing performers tease the lion and perform various breathtaking stunts, and return to the ground in the applause ofthe audience.