Chen Wen (Hunting Tattoos)
In winter, when heavy snow sealed the mountains, it was the best time for Tujia mountain folk to go hunting. Old records state: "In deep mountains and dense thickets, all were originally Tusi hunting grounds; not a blade of grass or a tree could be touched without permission. Each winter's hunt was called 'ganzhang.' First, village headmen would locate the tiger's lair, then lead dozens to hundreds of men to surround it with large nets, clear the grass, and use dogs to startle the beast. When it fled, they killed it instantly with muskets and spears—not one escaped."
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Chen Wen (a type of pattern)
In winter, when heavy snow seals the mountains, it is the best time for Tujia mountain folk to go into the mountains to hunt.
Old records state: "In the deep mountains and dense thickets, these were originally all hunting grounds of the local officials; not a single blade of grass or tree was to be touched lightly. Hunting each winter was called 'driving the hunt.' First, the village head and leaders were ordered to observe where the tigers lived, then several dozen to a hundred people would surround the area with large nets, then clear the grass, and use dogs to startle the beasts. When the beasts fled, they were immediately killed with bird guns and spears—not one escaped."
Those participating in the hunt must hold a series of ceremonies according to the rules of the local Tujia hunters. Before setting out, they must first sacrifice to the God of the Hunt (the hunting deity, also called "Meishan God"). The hunting deity is about 5 cun tall, carved from a stolen prickly ash tree or citrus tree. During the sacrifice, it is placed in a rock hollow, and incense is burned and paper money offered—this is called "establishing the altar," also called "establishing Meishan." Legend has it that Meishan was a brave female hunter of the Tujia village, so when establishing the altar, vulgar words are forbidden. When the hunters enter the mountains, they carry the hunting deity in their bosoms. At a fork in the road, they wrap a roll of white incense with paper money, draw the character "jing" (a talisman), and then place it on a tree branch or press it under a rock slab—this is called "pressing the marker," also called "sealing the mountain," meaning to gather the wild beasts on one mountain for easier hunting. When pressing the marker, one must recite the verse: "Above is the blue sky, below is the red earth. Your disciple respectfully requests, from former teachings to later instructions. The left mountain governs the right mountain, the front mountain governs the back mountain. If a mountain calls, the next mountain responds; if none calls, then it responds on its own."
Hunting has a whole set of jargon, such as tracking footprints, blocking passes, guarding points, driving the chase, and keeping watch. The drivers are usually those who do not carry guns, numbering from dozens to a hundred or more. They are responsible for leading the hunting dogs to check for animal tracks and driving the beasts out of their dens. "Blocking passes" is done by those with good marksmanship. After a hunter kills a beast, he must stick a few hairs and some blood onto his gun—this is called "sacrificing the gun." An old Tujia bamboo-branch poem says: "Hunting along the mountains in wind and snow, following the dogs and turning again and again; returning with the catch truly proud, burning incense silently to worship
Meishan." The catch is shared by all who see it, whether the portion is large or small, everyone is happy.
There are also many taboos in mountain village hunting. On New Year's Eve and the first day of the first lunar month, one does not enter the mountains—this is called "releasing life." On "red-mouth days" (odd-numbered days), one does not go out, as the saying goes: "Do not go out on the seventh, do not return on the eighth; go out on the ninth and come back empty-handed."