Chongqing History & Culture
Ba Culture
During the early Warring States Period, the Ba Kingdom moved from the upper reaches of the Hanjiang River to the Eastern Sichuan around the main stream of the Yangtze River. Bronze culture assimilated with local aboriginal Neolithic culture, forming the Ba Culture and the origin of Bayu Culture. Chongqing is the epicenter of this culture.
Representatives of Bayu Culture
Bayu dance is a kind of folk martial dance of ancient Bayu Area.
Ba people were well known for their bravery and dash as well as being good at singing and dancing. It is said in ancient records Ba troops always sang and danced while marching to their crusade against the Shang Dynasty. During the early Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD), Bayu Dance was introduced to the imperial palace, becoming a royal court dance for appreciation, reception of envoys and guests and official rites. This kind of dance gradually disappeared after the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and yet it was still popular among common people.
Folk songs of Ba people were also famous not only in local areas, but also in the neighboring Chu State during ancient times. Chongqing people still sing of their lovely mountains and rivers. Work songs of boatmen are a part of the colorful folk culture of Chongqing.
Bayu dance and songs are considered to be the most important elements of Bayu Culture. Additionally, Ba people brewed their own fine wine and conducted their own burial ceremonies (boat coffin, hanging coffin and other kinds of burials). They had symbolized character, totems, bronze sculptures, fascinating legends and myths. These are all symbols of Bayu Culture.
Chongqing as a capital
(Source: english.cqnews.net)
In its 3,000-year history, Chongqing had been a capital city three times.
Capital of Ba Kingdom: in 1066BC of the Zhou Dynasty.
Capital of Xia Kingdom: In 1363, General Ming Yuzhen of the peasant rebel army cleaned up the power of the Yuan Court in Sichuan and proclaimed himself emperor of the Xia Kingdom.
Secondary capital of the Republic of China: In 1937, when the Sino-Japanese War erupted, the National Government moved to Chongqing and made Chongqing the assistant capital.
Source: travelchinaguide.com
Editor: Xu Xinlei
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