A Flavor for Each Ethnic Group - The Lahu People
Hey, Natuo,
what does the pattern on the cuffs mean?
The pattern on the cuffs is
the dog's tooth pattern.
Yes.
Because it's said that the Lahu people is indebted to a dog.
I can see this pattern on the cuffs and clothes.
Yes.
The gourd is the representative of our Lahu culture,
symbolizing good luck.
I see.
And we use many gourd-shaped little accessories.
Now let's go.
Penji, I'll take you to get a special condiment.
Do you eat Chopped Fresh Meat every year during the Gourd Festival?
Yes.
In my hometown, we only eat olive fruits,
not the bark.
Well, we eat the bark here.
Uncle.
Where are you going?
This is my friend
and I'm taking her to the mountain.
OK. You go.
Um.
OK. You go.
OK.
Be safe.
OK.
Penji, every household in our village has its own specialty.
They're good at bamboo weaving.
Um.
They make woven bags.
Yes.
Don't you think that I look good today?
Yes, you do.
Because it's the Gourd Festival today.
I know.
So I'm wearing my best clothes.
There're no olive fruits yet.
Let's cut this one down.
We just cut a section of it.
And it will grow later.
Here.
Be careful.
Let me help you with it.
Watch out.
Wow, you're strong.
It's done.
We don't need these branches.
It's quite tough.
I'm used to working,
so I'm strong.
Natuo,
I carry the basket
and you take the knife.
Let's go.
Let's wash our hands here before going back to cook.
OK.
Penji.
Yes?
Have some water and take a rest.
OK.
I'm hanging up my bag and let's get ready to cook.
OK.
Penji,
let's peel the bark.
OK.
We do it with a shard.
Of a broken bowl?
Yes.
Be careful when you do it.
Peel off the gray layer on the surface, right?
Yes.
We don't eat the outer layer.
I've only seen this dish on TV,
but I've never tried it before.
Well, it's delicious.
We eat Chopped Fresh Meat on big days like the Gourd Festival.
I see.
We make this dish.
Um.
When I was little, I always went up the mountain to pick olive fruits.
Oh.
Do you eat it with chili?
Yes, with chili and salt.
Um.
So this layer is edible, right?
Natuo?
Yes.
Let me see what it tastes like.
Go ahead.
Hmm, a bit bitter.
Does it taste like olive fruits?
Yes.
It's almost enough.
Yes.
Pour some rice water and soak it,
to remove the bitterness.
Ashu.
Yes?
The sticky rice is steamed.
OK, I'll pound it later.
OK.
Pound the Cooked Sesame Seeds
Sticky Rice
Babe, Niuniu,
the sticky rice paste is ready.
Natuo,
come and eat the paste.
Coming.
Come and eat the paste.
It has cooked sesame seeds in it.
Have a taste.
Thanks.
They've started singing before eating.
Yes, we sing and dance all day on the Gourd Festival.
Does it look like a gourd?
Very close.
It needs a gourd stalk.
It's done now.
Lahu Paste
Naluo.
Yes?
I've brought you some paste.
Um.
This is our brocade.
Um.
Look, this is the weaving of our Lahu people.
It can be used to make the clothes and bags.
The bags are also handmade?
Yes.
My headdress is also handmade.
I see.
This pattern stands for the dog's teeth,
like the one on your dress.
Yes.
Are these two gourds?
I didn't see it just now.
Hahaha. Yes.
It's tied up.
Let's roast the meat.
It's almost cooked.
Well, smells good.
Yes, it does.
I want to have some.
Olive Tree Bark
Garlic
Chili
Burmese Cilantro
Chili Powder
Salt
During the New Year, we add fresh pig blood in it.
Chopped Fresh Meat with Olive Tree Bark
Let me see how it tastes.
Yes, it's delicious, Natuo.
Right? I told you.
My Lahu Chicken is delicious.
Yes.
I want to learn how to cook it from you, auntie.
Come.
I'll teach you how to cook it.
Will it be more delicious after it's grilled?
Yes.
Put it in the pot.
Stir-fry it to remove the water.
Get it out now.
Yes.
Put in some lard oil.
Yes.
Put in some lard oil.
Stir-fry ginger, garlic, tsaoko, zanthoxylum and chili.
I can do it at home after learning it from you.
Put the chicken in.
Put some chili in.
Chili Powder
I love chili, too.
It's spicy and hot.
Put the boiling water in it after the chili.
Does it have to be boiling water?
Yes.
Soak the chicken in the water.
Boil for 20 Minutes
Lahu Chicken
It's perfect.
Dinner is ready!
Come and have dinner.
I'll serve you the rice.
Have a taste of my Lahu Chicken.
OK.
This chicken is delicious.
Have a taste of our Lahu cuisine.
I think it's delicious.
Really?
Yes.
Welcome to come and eat it again.
I've learned your cooking method.
Hahaha.
I'll cook it at home.
You can cook it back home.
Yes.
This pickled chili is delicious.
Did you cook this dish?
Yes.
It's delicious. This Chopped Fresh Meat is good.
Come. Have some.
OK.
Is this eggplant or lotus root?
Eggplant.
This is our special dish,
Grilled Pork.
Have a taste of it.
Penji,
what do you think?
It's good.
Eat more.
It's a little fat,
but not greasy.
Um.
Penji.
Yes?
When we make Lahu Chicken,
we use the free range chickens from the mountain.
Yes.
We call it flying chicken.
Flying chicken?
Yes. Hahaha.
Wow, he has finished it.
Let's go dance after the dinner.
It's our Gourd Festival today,
so at night we'll have a bonfire party.
A bonfire party!
Yes.
It'll be very fun.
We like dancing.
I'm not good at dancing.
Don't be afraid. We'll teach you how to dance.
Let's dance together.
I used to have a girlfriend
and not long after we fell in love...
What? I haven't finished it.
I haven't finished it. Don't laugh.
I haven't come to the laughing point.
What you said has nothing to do with the Gourd Festival.
Let's go dancing!
OK.
Come. Let's go!
Hello, everyone. I'm Dianxi Xiaoge.
The Gourd Festival is a grand festival of the Lahu people.
On this day, they all dress up, sing and dance.
And they make many local specialties.
Today in previous years,
the whole Lancang County celebrated the Gourd Festival.
This year is special.
Everyone just spends the festival
in their village
and has a little fun.
I hope that next year,
you can come to our Lancang County, Pu'er, Yunnan,
to participate in the Lahu's Gourd Festival,
and I hope you'll continue to follow my channels.
In the future, I'll show you more about ethnic minorities in Yunnan.
Bye.