The Dong     
Peoples of        China                   

The history and culture of the Dong People can be traced back to the Qin (221-206 BC) and Han (206 BC - 220 AD) dynasties and originally lived in Hunan province.

But during the 12th century AD (the Song dynasty) the entire population up rooted and moved south to avoid the invading Mongol army's.

Now, numbering over two and a half million people the Dong are concentrated around the border areas of Guizhou and Guangxi with some remnants still in Hunan, forming a significant presence within those 2 regions.

on the Miao People
on China's minorities
of Changyang

       For those not so well acquainted with the differences in China's minority cultures, the Dong villages can be easily distinguish by its distinctive architecture style incorporating the use of a tall central communal wooden building
called a "Drum Tower" (above) - a pagoda looking building, some reaching a height of 30 plus meters - and the nearby fully functional "Water Wheels" powered by the rivers and streams themselves.
       In China itself, the Dong are known as master bridge builders for their "Wind and Rain bridges" that dot all over the Dong country side spanning all the rivers that flow through their home land.
       The Dong spoken language is unique in that it uses over 15 tones and for writing use Chinese characters. Based loosely, on the Sino-Tibetan family of languages but more closely related to the languages of the Zhuang and Shui peoples.
       Their calendar is based around the lunar model and celebrate their own unique festivals with the New Year/ Spring Festival been the biggest festivities for that year. Dong festivals are also occasions for mass gathering, singing, and dancing and are most expressive and vivid affairs, with participation of outsiders most welcome but respectful behavior on the part of visitors must be the rule.

       The Dong have their own religion which is, to this day little understood and studied, based around a complex pantheon of spirits and demons.
       Traditionally Dong dress in earth-tone tunics, brightened up by colorful sleeves, a waist sash, and shoes.

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