Maybe because the shape of this kind of house resembles a huge upheld hat, there is another story in the local place: When Zhu Geliang (statesman and strategist in the State of Shu during the Three Kingdoms period (220-280), who became an incarnated wise and resourceful figure in Chinese folklore) came to Xishuangbanna, a youth named Yanken went to ask him how to build a more convenient house for the Dai people.

Zhu thought for a moment. Then, inserting a few chopsticks in the ground and putting his own hat on them, he said, "Just build in this way."

Nowadays, most bamboo houses have been changed into wooden ones. Tiles replaced "caopai" which was used to cover the roof. Also there are glass windows in the wall. However, the construction style of traditional bamboo houses still remains in use.

  Inside and Outside of the Bamboo Houses

Bamboo houses, as the name indicates, are mainly made of bamboo. The supporting framework of a Dai bamboo house is usually made of dozens of big bamboos, with the boards of the floor being laid at least two meters above the ground. Bamboo houses are built far off the ground because the air circulation underneath the living quarters help to keep things as cool as possible.

There is another reason why the floorboards are at least two meters above the ground; it is a reflection of Dai culture.

The Dai people used to be very strict in clan hierarchy, which is also embodied in the construction of bamboo houses. For example, the house for senior family members should be built at least two meters above the bamboo board, and the pillars should be at least 2 meters tall. Moreover, no A-shaped frame should be found inside the house, thus making the rooms particularly bright and spacious. There should be no less than nine bamboo stairs. Houses for the younger members are generally less complex, with shorter pillars and fewer than seven stairs.

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