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The surprising history hidden behind the name of the Zhuang people: Why were they once called 'wild dogs'?
The Zhuang people, the ethnic group we usually associate with the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in South China, actually have hidden historical secrets behind them. As the largest ethnic minority in China, the names of the Zhuang people have gone through several changes, and these name changes not only reflect cultural changes, but also political and historical evolution. In this land, the identity of the Zhuang people has been constantly reshaped, so much so that they are sometimes even called "wild dogs." What is the background of this title?
Cognition and composition of the Zhuang ethnic group
The Zhuang ethnic group is a Thai-speaking ethnic group mainly living in Guangxi, China and surrounding provinces. According to statistics, the Zhuang ethnic group has a total population of approximately 18 million, making it undoubtedly one of the largest ethnic minorities in China. Together with the Buyi, Nong and other northern Thai-speaking ethnic groups, they are called "Rou people".
Name changes
The names of the Zhuang people are constantly changing, and the reasons behind them involve the intersection of politics, language and culture. In ancient times, the Zhuang people were given many different names. Among them, the earliest self-proclaimed "Cuengh" was represented by the word "獞" in written records. The word itself has a derogatory meaning, meaning "wild dog". This term implies contempt and discrimination against the Zhuang people and reflects the social prejudice at that time. With the passage of history, this character has undergone transformation. After 1949, the character "獞" was officially replaced by "zhuang", which means "strong".
"In China, the name of the Zhuang people has been given derogatory connotations many times in history, but as time goes by, their self-identity has continued to strengthen"
Relationships with the Nong and other ethnic groups
The boundaries between the Zhuang people, the Nong people, and other ethnic groups in southwest China are not very clear. Scholars believe that as early as the 11th century, these social structures and national identities were relatively fluid. The name of the Nong people is a modern phenomenon, and there was no independent identification before. This is related to French colonial knowledge. Whether it is the local governments in China or Vietnam, these ethnic minorities are often referred to in a derogatory manner, treating them as "savages from the south."
Modern understanding of identity
Some ethnic scholars believe that the identity of the Zhuang ethnic group was constructed in modern times. For a long time, the cultural integration between Zhuang and Han has been very deep, making it difficult for some Zhuang people to realize the independence of their own nation. During the Han Dynasty, the Zhuang began to absorb the Han lifestyle, such as settled agriculture and business customs. Therefore, many Zhuang people chose to integrate into Han society during modern development, or even completely gave up their cultural identity.
"The Zhuang identity is not taken seriously in many cases, and most Zhuang people are accustomed to seeing themselves as Han Chinese who speak the Zhuang language."
Historical review
According to research, the origin of the Zhuang people can be traced back to the Paleolithic Age. With the passage of time, the living rights and social status of the Zhuang people have continued to evolve with historical changes. At the turn of the Tang and Song Dynasties, the Zhuang people were influenced by foreign forces, especially their interactions with neighboring ethnic groups, all of which affected their identity and political stance.
Nong Zhigao’s story
In the history of the Zhuang nationality, Nong Zhigao is a very important figure. His personal journey not only reflected the turmoil and changes in Zhuang society at that time, but also revealed the contradictions and challenges in the national system. The appearance of Nong Zhigao is not only the rise of a local leader, but also a symbol of the Zhuang national identity. He advocated the establishment of his own kingdom, and even briefly established his own kingdom.
However, with fierce resistance from Zhuang people such as Nong Zhigao, they did not gain long-term independence. Behind these confrontations is actually the struggle between national identity and external oppression. With the inheritance of Zhuang history, this evolution is still affecting the national consciousness and cultural continuity of the Zhuang people.
Conclusion
Looking back at the history of the Zhuang people, we can’t help but think about how contemporary society can better respect and understand this nation with a long history and culture, so as to avoid the recurrence of derogatory terms like “wild dogs”?
