The God's residence: Hani People's "Long Forest"

There are mainly nine branches, totally 21 thousand of Hani people living in the mountainous areas of Mojiang as their historical nativeland. Despite all the differences of characteristics and styles in different branches, Hani people as a whole have at least one traditional object in common: every Hani village should be built upon an open slope plenty of sunshine, and there must be a small forest consisted of lush Long woods and green bamboos lying close to it. The small forest is called "Long(means 'dragon' in ancient Chinese) forest".

A Hani village is usually surrounded by cultivated terraces, but Long forest is a region perfectly preserved from any kinds of cultivation. Hani people worship this small forest as the God, also the village's Protector's residence, as well as a holy place that the whole village's fortune relies on; it is in fact the religion in every Hani's heart: Young lovers are supposed to be disrespectful to the god if they talk love in it; none of the foliage in it could be moved, nor anything filthy could be brought close.

Hani people's worship to the "Long forest" is in fact equals their worship to the Nature. The forest stands for the God. However, many Long forests had been cut down in those days when people are forbidden from any means of God worships. There are only a few Long forests left in Hani villages today; but even in those villages lack of such a forest, there must be at least one Long tree standing in front of the village as its protector, though it must be the hardest moment for every Hani to get through.

(Edit:Ruby)