Jingpo sword has a long history. It is not only a major production tool, but also a weapon of combat and self-defense. It plays an important role in the life of the Jingpo people. Therefore, the Jingpo people worship the long sword and call it the "Knife of Life". Since ancient times, people have said that heroes are judged by knife marks. Men with superb sword skills and extraordinary courage are often loved by girls and women.
The Jingpo sword is 60-70 cm long and 3-4 cm wide. It is connected end to end and has a special scabbard. Jingpo people like long knives, especially Jingpo people, who keep them with them wherever they go. They believe that the sword is as important as life. In Jingpo etiquette, giving each other long knives is a very serious etiquette for Jingpo people. The long knife is not only a symbol of sincere encounter, but also contains deep blessings.
For example, when the Jingpo people go out to visit relatives and friends, they always use a long knife as a gift to show their respect, and the other party also uses a long knife as a return gift; after a young man and woman fall in love and get engaged, the husband gives his son-in-law a gift to show his respect. recognized. When his son grew up and wanted to separate, his father gave his son a long knife and said that he would use this long knife to lead a new family and start a new life.
Passionate knife dance. When Jingpo men participate in the Munao Zongge Festival, they wear red, yellow and green pom-poms on their heads, colorful "bucket handkerchiefs" inlaid with silver ornaments, and a beautiful long knife on their waists, full of vitality and prowess.
Entering the dance floor, all the men danced with knives, like soldiers about to go to war. Countless sharp knives sparkle in the sun, reflecting the strong, brave and indomitable national character of the Jingpo people.
Jingpo men usually dance with long knives, shields, spears and other props. The sword dance of the Jingpo people is formed by imitating various movements in labor production based on the skills and skills of the sword. Knife dance can be divided into single knife dance and collective knife dance. Horizontal bar dance is a self-entertainment dance, which can be divided into horizontal bar dance and parallel bar dance; collective knife dance is a sacrificial dance.
The folk solo sword dance is rich in language and can be performed impromptuly or expressed freely. Different regions have different styles. The performance style of the double-knife dance is similar to that of the single-knife dance. The dance content generally expresses the diligent, brave, fearless and pioneering spirit of the Jingpo people. It is characterized by lively rhythm, extensive exercise, flexible pace, and enthusiasm and masculinity. It is not limited by time and place and has broad mass appeal.
The collective sword dance of the Jingpo people is a kind of sacrificial dance. The priest kills the sacrifices to worship the gods, and then a group of people hold shields in their left hands and long knives in their right hands, doing various offensive and defensive dances. Its purpose is to pray for God's blessing and boost morale. When you return victorious, you should "bend down" to thank God and celebrate your victory.
When the Jingpo people encounter difficulties, they hang them up with long knives. They believe that the long sword has the power to determine a person's actions. The intention to follow the sword is to obey the will of God.
At the Mune Dragon Song Festival, the two crossed long knives on the altar are a symbol of iron. For the Jingpo people, the long knife is not only a production tool for clearing land and logging, but also a weapon to defend against enemies. When every Jingpo tribesman saw these two huge long knives on the altar, an uncontrollable impulse of desire immediately surged in their hearts.