Zhangjiajie — Celestial Tujia Writings

The Tujia, indigenous people of the Wuling Mountains, have a rich and complex history, marked by a long struggle to preserve their identity. Descended from the Ba Kingdom, they were subject to successive Chinese empires. The Tusi system, where local chieftains were recognized by the imperial court, allowed them to maintain a degree of cultural and political autonomy for centuries, notably under the Ming and Qing dynasties. Their traditions, unique language, and shamanic rituals attest to a deep connection with the surrounding nature, particularly with the spectacular karst formations of the region.

However, from the 18th century, and more intensively in the 20th century, forced assimilation policies, known as 'Gaitu Guiliu' (replacing local chiefs with officials), eroded this way of life. The creation of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in 1982, while crucial for biodiversity conservation and global recognition of these 'Avatar' landscapes, unintentionally transformed these sacred lands into a major tourist destination, raising new questions about the balance between development, conservation, and the preservation of the cultural identity of the Tujia, now recognized as one of China's 56 ethnic minorities.