Lahu people

Lahu people call themselves "Lahu people", which is one of the ethnic groups named after tigers, also known as "Pengyapeiya", which means the son of gourd, and is a typical mountain ethnic group.

The totem of the Kucong people of Lahu nationality is gourd. They regard the gourd as their ancestor and protector, and still regard it as a symbol of female beauty. The standards of women's breasts, abdomen and buttocks pursued by men are similar to those of gourds. When they name their children, they should bring a gourd, hoping to give birth to more grandchildren like gourd when they grow up. I am used to nailing gourd seeds on children's veils and collars, thinking that ghosts will not come near me; As a symbol of family wealth, the gourd is placed in front of the door or hung on the roof beam, and some people pile forty or fifty gourds in front of the door to show wealth; Using gourd to make all kinds of utensils, we still like to use gourd to make ladle, bowl, spoon and other utensils and musical instruments such as lusheng, and also to make gourd-shaped utensils such as fish baskets, axes and wood carvings that gourd can't replace.

The origin of this custom is that it is said that a long time ago, people were drowned because of floods. Only two brothers and sisters hid in a big gourd and drifted in the sea of Wang Yang for 7 days and 7 nights, and survived. Later, they got married and had children. It is also said that in ancient times, after the flood, there was only one orphan left in the world. One day, he was playing by the pond, and a little red fish spat a gourd seed at him. The orphan planted it outside his hut and soon grew many gourds. One night, with a loud noise and a golden light, a beautiful girl came out of the gourd and married an orphan. Since then, human beings have thrived. Therefore, the gourd became the totem of Kucong people and was worshipped.