Dai People

The Dai people primarily inhabit Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture and Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture in southern Yunnan. With a population of approximately 1.2 million, the Dai are known for their unique culture that blends Theravada Buddhism with Southeast Asian influences, sharing cultural similarities with neighboring Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. The Water Splashing Festival (Songkran) is the most important celebration for the Dai people, marking the Dai New Year. Held in mid-April (6th month of the Dai calendar), this three-day festival involves sincere religious rituals and joyful water-splashing activities. The festival begins with 'Bathing the Buddha,' an important ritual where Buddha statues are ceremonially washed with clean water. Dai culture is renowned for the Peacock Dance, a graceful traditional dance accompanied by elephant-foot drums and bronze gongs. The peacock is considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity in Dai culture, and the dance represents the elegant movements of this sacred bird. The Dai people have developed a distinctive architectural style featuring stilted bamboo houses adapted to the tropical climate. These traditional dwellings are built on wooden stilts with the living quarters on the upper floor, while the lower level is used for storage and livestock. Theravada Buddhism plays a central role in Dai life, with ornate Buddhist temples (called 'Wat') serving as community centers. Many Dai boys spend time as novice monks as part of their education. The Dai script, derived from ancient Pali, is used to record Buddhist scriptures known as Bai Ye Sutra (palm leaf manuscripts). Dai cultural heritage also includes intricate brocade weaving, silver craftsmanship, and unique culinary traditions featuring tropical fruits, herbs, and distinctive flavors.