中国文化博览:哈尼族民俗之牛体彩绘

Patterns and bright colours, it is hardly surprising if these curious-looking painted bulls attract close attention. But the reason behind their colourful hides is actually meant to ward off intruders. 复杂的图案，鲜艳的颜色，难怪这些神奇的彩绘牛会如此地夺人眼球了。但是，牛体彩绘背后的故事却是为了阻挡猛兽入侵。

Artistic residents in Jiangcheng County, Yunnan Province, China decorated their bulls for a festival, but the tradition began from a small Chinese group who believed painting their bulls would protect their village. 中国云南省江城县富有艺术细胞的居民们把彩绘牛体当成了一种节日来庆祝，相传这一传统源于少数民族哈尼族，目的是为了保护自己的家园。

The Hani minority tale preached that the painted bulls would scare away tigers from wandering into their homes. And this tradition now gives people the prefect excuse to show off their artistic talents. 根据哈尼族的传说，最初彩绘牛是为了吓唬在附近游荡的猛虎。而现在，这一活动却无可争议地展现了哈尼族的艺术天赋。

Altogether 48 teams joined this years China-Laos-Vietnam Bull Painting Festival. 在今年的中老越彩绘牛狂欢节上，共有48支队伍参加了比赛。

With bright blues, dazzling yellows and splashes of deep red and green, these bulls makeover was a bright change from their usual brown or white skin. Elaborate scenes of countryside, people, weather and patterns were painstakingly etched and tidily painted, including even the bulls horns. 鲜艳的蓝色、耀眼的黄色、还有亮丽的深红色和绿色，这些耕牛也从原来的棕色或白色变装成了鲜艳夺目的彩色。所绘的图画包括郊外风光、普通人民、天气情况等，这些图案都是一点一点、小心翼翼地绘制到牛体上的，甚至连牛角都给化了妆。

The Hani people in China are mainly spread across the counties on the Honghe River in the Yunnan Province. They have a population of 1.4 million, mostly engaged in agriculture. 哈尼族是中国的少数民族，主要分布在云南省红河流域。人口约为140万，以务农为主。