The Yugur People

The Yugur live in the Sunan Yugur Autonomous County and in western Gansu's Huangnibao area. Yugur descended from the nomadic Huiqu people who moved westward and settled along the Gansu Corridor, west of the Yellow River, and intermarried with other minorities. Nevertheless, since the early 1960s, there has been speculation that the Yugur and the Hungarians are related given similarities in the beat and tonal scale of their folk singing. However, many Yugur trace their origin to the ancient Ouigur people of the Erhun River valley during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD).

Both men and women wear felt hats, robes and riding boots. Women's hats are shaped like a trumpet with red tassels on top. Their collars and cuffs are embroidered. When they reach marriageable age, they wear their hair in many small braids. From there, they move on to three, thick, decorated braids with one in the front and two in the back.

Girls may begin courting at the ages of 15 or 17. Before that, however, they may not have male friends. Each girl undergoes an initiation ceremony during which she is given a headdress of coral, jade and shells. The ceremony includes lamas who recite scriptures, the girl's singing of thanks to her parents for bringing her up and a feast of mutton. This celebration ends at dawn.

A special, solemn ceremony for Yugur children is the cutting of their hair. This takes place when the child is either one or three years old. At this time the child is given a Buddhist name. The boy's hair must be cut from the right to the left, then the middle and back. The girl's hair is cut from left to right, then middle to rear. A Yugur well-wishing song for the ceremony goes like this:

Cutting his hair with iron scissors,
The child will grow as strong as an iron rod.
Cutting his hair with gold or silver scissors,
Treasures of gold and silver will roll in.

Yugurs are a hospitable people. They think it an honor to have a guest in their home and will offer him milk tea followed by wine and boiled mutton. The guest will eat until full. During festivals, the guest will offer a silk scarf (hada) to the host.

One government publication says that Yugur life has improved and that Yugurs experience less isolation because of television. The Yugur, who speak three languages, value education although sometimes the travel necessary to receive it proves difficult. In regards to religion, the Yugur practice Lamaism.