Tattooed Faces and Drinking Alcohol Instead of Water... The Reason Behind These Women's Traditions

Tattoos Covering the Whole Face or Concentrated on the Chin
Half of the Annual Crop Harvest Used for Alcohol Production
Drinking Alcohol Instead of Water Is Common

The traditions and culture of the Dulong women, an ethnic minority in China known for tattooing their faces and drinking alcohol instead of water, are drawing attention. On October 30 (local time), the South China Morning Post (SCMP) introduced the culture and customs of the Dulong people, a minority group of about 7,000 living along the Dulong River in Gongshan County, Yunnan Province, China. The Dulong are one of the 56 recognized ethnic groups in China.

Since the Yuan Dynasty, the Dulong have been known for their fierce fighting skills, but their population drastically declined over centuries of struggle to protect their tribe. Facial tattoos among Dulong women are one of the group's most distinctive and painful traditions. Typically, when girls reach the age of 12 or 13, turquoise patterns are tattooed on their faces using thorn needles, ash, and fern juice.

The tattooing process takes an entire day, followed by several days of severe pain, swelling, and redness. The patterns include spiders, butterflies, and flowers, and depending on the region, they may cover the entire face or be concentrated on the chin. The origin of this custom is unclear, but the most widely known explanation is that it was intended to make women appear 'less attractive' to prevent them from being kidnapped. Another theory suggests that the tattoos served as a rite of passage, with cultural norms requiring them for marriage eligibility. Since the 1950s, government bans have led to the gradual disappearance of the practice, and today, it is reported that fewer than 20 women over the age of 75 still have facial tattoos.

Another cultural characteristic of the Dulong is their deep attachment to alcohol. They use about half of their annual crop harvest to make alcohol, and it is common for them to drink alcohol instead of water. On wedding days, the bride shares drinks with all the guests, and most return home with the groom in a drunken state. The alcohol, fermented in bamboo containers, is low in alcohol content, aromatic, and sweet, making it popular even among children. For the Dulong, alcohol is more than just a beverage; it is believed to refresh the body and boost energy. During festivals or when guests visit, drinking face-to-face is a symbol of loyalty and friendship. In particular, there is a unique meat-based liquor called 'Xiala,' which is made by stir-frying chicken, bee larvae, and rat meat, then boiling them with alcohol.