After playing around in Dulongjiang for a while, I heard the sound of a motorcycle and a man shouted: "Come back for dinner!"
When I returned to the village committee, I saw several young men busy putting hot vegetables into baskets and putting them on the motorcycle. Martin also carried a basket and got on the motorcycle.
He Huan pulled him curiously, "What are you going to do?"
"Send meals to the border guard detachment."
"Ah! I want to go too!" Liang Ange first expressed his feelings.
It was inconvenient to have a large crowd, so a few young people followed them.
After walking for about half an hour, we arrived at the border station.
The border guards include some from the mainland and some from the local Dulong ethnic group. They cannot go home during the Chinese New Year. But the fellow villagers have not forgotten them.
The officers and soldiers were not surprised to see fellow villagers coming to deliver food. They were used to the joint defense between the military and civilians here, and the military and civilians living together as one family.
But when they saw a few celebrities, the officers and soldiers were wide-eyed and overjoyed. Liang Ange smiled and waved, "Hello!"
"Ah!" A group of officers and soldiers looked at them excitedly, still unable to believe it.
Several people quickly brought out the dishes brought to them, but the officers and soldiers were not interested in the dishes and continued to look at the several celebrities.
A young man said shyly: "Kekeke...can I take a photo with you?"
Liang Ange ran over quickly, and Qin Kong and He Huan also went over. The officers and soldiers rushed over and surrounded them, standing happily at the door of the border guard station. Behind them was the vast primeval forest separated by barbed wire, and the national flag was flying on the door.
Chen Ying took photos in person. After taking the photos, He Huan ran over and got what he wanted, taking control of Teacher Chen's camera and asking Teacher Chen to go over and take a photo with them. Chen Ying was probably squeezed in the middle by them, and they hugged each other and did not move away.
It’s rare for a guide to be so kind!
After taking photos, the officers and soldiers gathered around them to chat again. They heard that the China-Myanmar boundary monument was on the mountain, and a few of them wanted to take a look.
The officers and soldiers said: "Cars cannot go there. We patrol the border on foot every day, and it takes several hours to go back and forth. We want to come tomorrow morning and take you there."
"We have to go back tomorrow."
"Ah?" The officers and soldiers looked disappointed. But in such a far place, on the eve of the Spring Festival, they quickly became happy again after seeing several big stars who were famous all over the country.
Although the few people did not see the boundary marker, they still realized that they had reached the last inch of the country when they saw the barbed wire fence winding in the forest.
There are only trees with lush branches and leaves, which do not know the boundaries of the country. The branches and leaves are connected together, and the pavilions are like a canopy.
"There are also many Dulong people living there." said an officer and soldier.
"There is someone in our village who used to live in Myanmar. He came back after liberation and now lives in a new house. Now he is very proud that he brought his family back!" said a villager.
Several people were amazed and didn’t know what to say. Sometimes it’s time and destiny!
He Huan said: "This situation at the Yunzhou border is very common. If the same ethnic group lives across the border, they become people of different nationalities."
"It's really luck!"
"How should I put it? Our side has good policies, but their side is relatively free. It doesn't matter whether it's good or bad. Illegal activities are rampant." An officer and soldier said, "So we have to guard this national border."
He Huan nodded, "The Yunzhou border is too long, and many areas are in deep mountains and old forests. It used to be very chaotic, but now it is much better. Otherwise, the people on the border will not only be good at drinking, but it will also spread to the inland. This hole cannot be opened.
.Yunzhou’s defense is under great pressure, and the border defense detachment is working very hard.”
Several people nodded, understanding.
Facing this group of officers and soldiers guarding the border in the deep mountains and old forests, seeing them was like seeing relatives, Liang Ange couldn't help but sing a song to comfort the officers and soldiers.
The officers and soldiers were so excited that they clapped their hands to make the beat and instantly became fans. He Huan also sang two songs. A live Spring Festival Gala was held for them in advance.
After the applause ended, He Huan said: "I won't delay your meal. If you continue to sing, your meal will get cold. Hurry up and eat!"
The officers and soldiers had no intention of eating, but they were too embarrassed to keep them. They had to go back to eat. In the canyon between Gaoligong Mountain and Dandanlika Mountain, the sun had already set, especially in the forest, which was already dark.
The officers and soldiers could only reluctantly watch them disappear into the forest.
Several people did not dare to look back, feeling that they would not be able to leave. Those who guard the border really need dedication! Otherwise, how can they endure such loneliness?
Sing them a few songs and they will be as happy as children! Now the Chinese New Year is coming, and people all over the country are reunited with their families, but they have to continue to guard the national borders in the mountains.
Several people felt a little guilty. Liang Ange said: "I feel that I brought too few gifts and gave them nothing."
"They won't accept it," said a villager. "On a New Year's Day like Kaquewa, they are embarrassed to refuse the cooked food. You come to see them and sing to them, which will make them happier than giving them food."
Got it!"
Several people also became happy.
Returning to the village committee, a running-water banquet has been set up in the courtyard. The banquet started with Dulong drinking and singing.
When experts eat beef, they forget about the cruelty of slaughtered cattle. Because it is so delicious!
In addition to Dulong cattle, there are also Dulong pigs, Dulong chickens, Dulong fish, fried bee pupae, slate cakes, mushrooms... The treasures of Dulong River Gorge are all on the table.
The first wave of people started singing and dancing after eating, and the second wave of people started eating again.
The village committee compound was brightly lit and submerged in singing and dancing.
They sang many hymns of the new era and popular songs, all in Chinese. The Dulong song that the experts wanted to hear was not heard.
Liang Ange ran to the village chief and asked, "Why don't they sing Dulong songs?"
"There are very few people who can sing Dulong songs now. Young people think they are unsophisticated and prefer to sing pop songs. No one can sing the old tunes anymore." The township head said a little apologetically, "We all speak Chinese, and many of us don't speak Dulong.
I can speak."
Everyone looked at the young people who sang pop songs at the top of their lungs and caroused. They received Chinese education and it was difficult for them to enter modern society. It is understandable for young people to pursue popularity.
"There is a grandma who is almost ninety years old and can sing many folk songs. But she has some inconvenience in her legs and feet," the village chief said.
Everyone understood and immediately said: "Please take us to visit."
A girl next to her said, "That's my grandma, I'll take you there."
"please."
He Huan used to bring something with him in the car just in case of emergencies. Now it came in handy again. He asked Martin to take him to the trunk of the car to get a box of milk and other snacks. A group of people carried it and followed.
The girl went to her house.
Walking into the beautiful courtyard, there is still a firepit in the house. Dulong people still cannot live without the firepit.
A grandma is sitting by the fire pit. The firelight reflects the blue and black mesh pattern on her face, like a veil, bringing everyone back to the mysterious ancient times.
"Grandma, have you eaten?" Liang Ange asked.
The granddaughter was translating next to her, and grandma smiled and nodded, holding their hands and letting them get closer to warm themselves by the fire.
"After the meat is cooked, the village will first serve it to the elderly who are inconvenient to go out," said the granddaughter.
The experts nodded, it is really a very simple village.
The granddaughter told her grandma again about the reason for their visit. The experts were overjoyed. It’s great that this girl can translate!
Grandma sang generously.
"This is a complaint about Chief Tsavalong," said the granddaughter.
He Huan explained: "Until the liberation, the Dulong people were deeply oppressed. The people who exploited them the most were the Tsavalong chieftains. Tributes were collected from them every year, including taxes on their mouth, ears, nose, and hair.
"
"ah!"
“Every time they come, they have to build another clean house for them to live in and find someone to serve them. The young and beautiful Dulong girl suffers greatly from this.
They often used insufficient tribute as an excuse to make Dulong people into slaves, and young girls were often abducted as slaves.
In order to avoid being kidnapped, Dulong girls had to have their faces tattooed when they were twelve or thirteen years old, and it gradually became a custom."
Everyone looked at grandma and felt heartbroken.
Grandma sang the tune of proposing marriage again. Even her granddaughter could only say this in a careless way.
He Huan explained: "They used to be a fixed marriage group. They were free to fall in love, and they could have children, and the children could be brought into the husband's family. But marriage must follow the family system, which is not based on love, but on family relations and the reproduction of the ethnic group.
, completely two sets of rules.
You can fall in love freely, but marriage is a fixed marriage with a certain family. As long as you belong to this family, regardless of age or appearance, you must get married. You have no right to choose.
This kind of fixed marriage group is also derived from the survival and reproduction of the family. It has nothing to do with personal feelings. People are just tools for family reproduction. Girls' facial tattoos are actually to ensure the reproduction of the ethnic group.
This kind of marriage system has resulted in many sister marriages and transfer marriages. For example, if a sister dies, the younger sister takes over, which is called sister marriage. When an elder brother dies, the sister-in-law transfers it to the younger brother, this is called transfer marriage. In short, women are like private property, only in a certain place.
Inherited within the family.”
"ah!"
"In this way, not only do the two people have no feelings, but sometimes there is a big age difference. It will be very painful for both men and women if they fall in love with the person.
This fixed marriage system has broken up many lovers, so their love songs are also very sad, just like the complaints."
Grandma sang a song. Everyone didn't understand it, but they felt very sad.
"What did grandma sing?"
"Find a spruce tree on the top of a high mountain
Make three deep carvings
Facing the sky, the earth, the sun and the moon
Carve our loyal love
Mountains can't separate us
Even the almighty devil
We must never separate if we want to
You hide the carved wood in your lapel
I hid the carved wood in my quiver
If the carved wood is burned by fire
Charcoal will also leave three carvings.”
After hearing the translation, everyone was silent and sad.
"What's the name of the song?"
"Claudina Danxia, my grandmother's name."
"listen well!"
He Huan said: "Their love songs are usually named after girls because they are sung impromptu and have protagonists."
Everyone looked at Claudina Danxia and imagined her youthful years, and couldn't help but burst into tears.
"What did grandma say?" Liang Ange asked gently.
"He sang this to her."
"He? Your grandfather?"
The granddaughter looked at her grandma and shook her head.
Grandma Danxia sang another song. Grandma sang slowly. I don’t know whether she was recalling the lyrics or singing slowly on purpose. Her granddaughter followed and translated sentence by sentence:
"There is a mountain between us
There is a big river between us
I climbed over this mountain
I crossed this river
Not collecting wild fruits
It’s not about catching carp either.
It's for the one you love
It's for Claude Xia
I stand on the top of the mountain and watch
I stand on the top of the mountain and look
I saw a red flower at the foot of the mountain
I saw a green willow tree by the river
That's not a red flower, that's not a green willow
It turns out to be my beloved
It turned out to be Claude Xia"
"I'm standing at the foot of the mountain waiting for you
I stand by the river looking at you
A star fell from the sky
A silver ball fell from the mountain
surprised me
shocked me
That's not a star, that's not a silver ball
It's my beloved who's running here
It’s La Yunsha who’s running here.”
Grandma Danxia suddenly covered her face with her hands and became shy, obviously remembering the scene when her beloved ran over. I wonder if she still remembers her sweetheart's face? But she remembered the antiphonal song between the two.
"There is a mountain between us
There is a big river between us
I climbed over this mountain
I crossed this river
I'm not looking for bison
It’s not about catching little otters either.
It's for the one you love
It's for Claude Xia
I stand on the top of the mountain and watch
I stand on the top of the mountain and look
Saw a white bird flying over the hillside
I saw a gray rabbit running across the mountainside
That's not a white bird, that's not a gray rabbit
It turns out to be my beloved
It turned out to be Claude Xia"
"I climbed the hill to cut the grass
I went up the mountain to chop wood
I'm sitting on the slope waiting for you
I stand on the mountainside looking at you
A stone rolled down from the top of the mountain
A snowball rolled down from the top of the mountain
surprised me
shocked me
That's not a stone or a snowball.
It's my beloved who's running here
It’s La Yunsha who’s running here.”
"There is a mountain between us
There is a big river between us
I climbed over this mountain
I crossed this river
I have no intention of bragging about being alone
I don’t want to play Dabia either.
It's for the one I love
It's for Claude Xia
I wake up thinking about you
I miss you in my dream too
We met today
Now we met
I feel like I don’t need to talk to you
I find it difficult to speak
May we both be like twin stars in the sky
May we two be like mandarin ducks in the water
never separate
Don’t ever tear them apart”
"I want us to never be separated
I want us to never be separated
We must resist the oppression of the government
We must break free from the chains of our parents
Let's run away together
Let's hide together
go west
Go to where the sun sets
Slip across ninety-nine rivers
Go to that free place
Go to that happy place
Build a wooden house
Create a mountainous area
raise a boy
raise a girl
The man taught him farming
The woman taught her how to weave linen.”
"Let's go with a long knife in hand
Go there and chop down the volcano
Run away with the seeds
Go there and plant crops
to that free place
To that happy place
We will love each other forever
We will be happy forever"
The experts were silent for a while, and Liang Ange burst into tears.
Crodanxia said: "He is an Anu people and lives on the Gaoligong side. He comes up the mountain to hunt, and I go up the mountain to chop wood."
Everyone nodded, no wonder they said they didn’t want to play Duduli, nor did they want to play Dabia. Her lover Layunsha was a Nu youth who could sing like Dou Sanzhan.
He Huan said: "Layun is the clan name of the Nuyuhu tribe."
Everyone nodded and did not dare to ask about Layunsha's whereabouts.
Grandma lowered her head to stir up the firewood in the fire pit and started talking proactively: "We often meet on the mountain and sing to each other. He doesn't mind me having this look on my face. He sings to praise me and he likes me too."
Sing.
Later, someone came to propose marriage, so I ran to find him, and we made an appointment to escape together. He came to this hillside to wait for me.
We crossed Gaoligong, and the tribesmen were chasing me. I would be caught back, and he would be beaten to death. I told him to run quickly, and he sang that song.
If I don't marry the person my parents ask me to marry, I will have to pay several times the bride price, or use my younger sister to offset the marriage. My younger sister is only ten years old. The family's reputation will also be ruined, and my parents will be gossiped about."
Listening to the granddaughter's translation, everyone also walked into the escaped marriage of Crodanxia and Layunsha.
“After I was captured, the tribesmen who chased him said that he was hit by their poisonous arrows while crossing the zip line and fell into the Nu River.
My husband was thirty years older than me and died very young. He married his younger brother. Later he was liberated and he also died a few years ago."
Everyone was silent, but grandma spoke very calmly, and then said something to her granddaughter.
The granddaughter brought a pair of scissors, and the grandma carefully cut open the skirt along the seams, and pulled out a piece of carved spruce wood with three deep carvings on it.
No one could hold it back anymore, Liang Ange hugged her.
Grandma didn't cry. Her deep eye sockets were already dry. She smiled and patted the elf on the back, comforting her.
Liang Ange quickly wiped his eyes and let go of his grandma.
Grandma lowered her head and rubbed the carved wood again. Everyone looked at her silently, holding back tears but not daring to cry loudly.
Listening to Grandma Danxia singing about her life while holding a carved wood, everyone couldn't help but think of Ruth in Titanic when she got old and took out her eternal heart and told future generations about her young lover.
After singing this song, grandma lowered her head, repeatedly rubbed the carvings on the wood, and said no more.
Everyone got up and left, feeling that all the words and hugs were too pale in front of her.
The granddaughter came out to see them off.
"Where's grandma?"
"Grandma sewed the carved wood in again," the granddaughter said. "She knitted it when she was young and kept it on the bottom of the box. She often wears it recently and said that she would wear it when she died. I didn't know there was anything in it before.
A small piece of wood."
The group of people felt very uncomfortable.
If you love each other and can't be together, your heart will be full of regrets when you are ninety years old!