The mysterious Bailuo tribe

Xinzhai is a Bailuo ethnic village seldom known to the outside world in Xinzhai Town, Malipo County, Wenshan Miao and Zhuang Autonomous Prefecture.

All the villagers are Bailuo ethnic members who have led an exotic life different from other branches of the Yi. During the May Day Holiday in 2006, I took a spontaneous photo tour with two Western photographers to the village named Xinzhai about 8 km from Xinzhai Township that has left many memories behind. The hamlet is nestling in lush woods, and many very old trees are growing around the vintage-style village; all the residences there are the type called "gan lan shi" (houses on stilts) in Chinese architectural jargon.

It is hard to expound when the village was first built. But Mr Zhao Wenlu, the chief of the culture office of Xinzhai Township, told us that the Bailuo people had only spoken language so when their ancestors moved to this area remained mysterious, and what they had known was just that their ancestors moved from Kunlun mountainous region because of natural disasters.

Most parts of our journey to Xinzhai Township were managed on a bumpy road. But luckily the Xinzhai Village was only 30 minutes of driving from the town. When we arrived, the village chief was very happy because Zhao had called him, telling him some guests would visit the village. The chief let us in a big old house, showed us around, gave many details about his village, and called some ladies and kids to dress up for pictures. Houses there were very unique, old and impressive with big pillars; each house was a two-storeyed building, with the ground floor for livestock, and the upper floor for people to live in.