Visiting Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on Sunday visited a village of the Zhuang ethnic minority in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and was given a first-hand introduction to their culture.

 

The villagers, a particular group of the Zhuang ethnic minority who live in Baise City, have a special affinity for the color black. They dress in black and regard it as a symbol of their group. They lived in forests and mountains for centuries before moving into the village, and have held on tenaciously to cultural and traditional practices.

 

At the entrance to the village, the princess was invited to sample the local wine brewed from corn, which is served as a mark of hospitality.

 

In the main village square, Princess Sirindhorn was entertained with folk songs and dances, and even joined in, dancing hand in hand with her hosts.

 

The princess was invited to the home of Yang Guijin, a yarn maker. She tried her hand at Yang's loom. Because the Zhuang and Thai languages are so similar, the princess was able to communicate with Yang without the help of her interpreter.

 

Princess Sirindhorn is scheduled to leave for South China's Guangdong Province on Monday. She is on an 11-day visit to China at the invitation of the Chinese government.

 

This is her 23rd visit to China.

 

Princess Sirindhorn, who has a special interest in Chinese language and history, is also a writer.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2006)