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The snow-capped Changbai Mountain has been a mysterious and magical place since ancient times. This land has given birth to countless rare treasures, the most legendary of which is the priceless Changbai Mountain ginseng.
An old mountain ginseng plant can easily cost tens of thousands, and there is even a ginseng king with a sky-high price. However, behind these ginseng scenes, there is a little-known story of ginseng picking.
In the depths of Changbai Mountain, there is a group of ginseng pickers known as "stick mallet boys". They follow the ancient custom of finding and harvesting this precious herb in a unique way.
Let's follow the footsteps of these "mallet boys" and unveil the mystery of the ginseng picking custom in Changbai Mountain.
1. Sacred grass in the mountains: the legend of Changbai Mountain ginseng
In the depths of Changbai Mountain, the forest is lush and foggy. In this mysterious land, there is a rare plant known as the "sacred grass" - Changbai Mountain ginseng. In folklore, this plant is often exaggerated for its miraculous ability to bring the dead back to life, so it is revered by the world.
However, finding this sacred grass is not an easy task. According to legend, ginseng has a lonely and arrogant temperament, and hides in the deep mountains and old forests all the year round, and does not show people easily. In search of this rare plant, ginseng pickers often have to trek through the mountains for months and endure the harsh environment.
According to the book, the growth cycle of Changbai Mountain ginseng changes with the four seasons. With years of experience and meticulous observation, ginseng pickers divide the ginseng growth process into several unique stages.
When the spring cold first recedes and everything recovers, ginseng begins to sprout. This stage usually takes place in April and May of the lunar calendar, when the grass is first growing and the leaves are just unfolding, as if a veil is covering the forest.
The young shoots of ginseng quietly break through the soil at this time, and the ginseng pickers call it "sprout grass". Ginseng seedlings at this stage are delicate and fragile, and it is easy to be mistaken for ordinary weeds, so few people go into the mountains to collect ginseng at this time.
With the passage of time, in June and July of the lunar calendar, the vegetation in the mountain forest is lush and dense, and the leaves of ginseng are hidden in the dense weeds, making it much more difficult to identify.
Ginseng pickers call this stage "putting black grass", and some people also call it "green nut market". The ginseng leaves of this period are dark green in color and almost blend in with the surrounding vegetation, and even experienced ginseng pickers need to put in more patience and effort to spot them.
Whenever autumn is getting stronger, usually in August and September of the lunar calendar, ginseng enters the most striking stage. At this time, the ginseng fruit ripens and takes on a bright red color, smooth and round, and the shape resembles a chicken loin.
These red fruits grow on the tops of slender branches, and from a distance, they look like small red hammers hanging high. Therefore, the ginseng pickers vividly refer to this stage as "Red Hammer City".
This period is also considered the golden season for ginseng harvesting, not only because the eye-catching appearance of the ginseng fruit makes it easier to spot, but also because the ginseng is at its most effective and the quality is at its peak.
Ginseng harvesters often organize large-scale harvesting activities during this season. They carried simple bags and necessary tools to the depths of the dense forests of Changbai Mountain.
In their search for ginseng, they had to overcome many obstacles: dense bushes that hindered progress, steep hillsides that tested their strength, and sometimes the threat of poisonous snakes and beasts.
After September, the ginseng fruit gradually falls off and the plant begins to enter a dormant period. Ginseng pickers describe this stage in poetic language, calling it "putting the brush broom", "putting the yellow umbrella", and sometimes "putting the leek flower".
These names vividly depict the form of ginseng during this period: the branches that have lost their fruit resemble a thin brush, or an open yellow umbrella, and sometimes a blooming leek flower.
When the cold wind begins to howl and the snow covers the mountains and forests, the ginseng harvesting season also ends. The ginseng pickers packed their bags and prepared to go down the mountain.
They refer to this process as "dropping sticks," which means letting go of the "rope sticks" in their hands that they use to find ginseng. Putting down the rope stick symbolizes the end of a ginseng-picking season and a solemn farewell to the mountain god.
These vivid descriptions are not only reflected in oral traditions, but also in local chronicles. As early as the Qing Dynasty, the "Old News of Jilin" recorded these ginseng-picking customs in detail, showing the unique ginseng-picking culture in the Changbai Mountain area. These traditions have continued to this day and have become an important part of the cultural heritage of Changbai Mountain.
And in the area of Changbai Mountain, ginseng pickers have a peculiar habit: they never call ginseng by its name, but call it "stick mallet".
Some say that this is to prevent the ginseng from escaping after hearing his name; Some people also believe that this is the ginseng pickers hoping to dig up ginseng as thick as a mallet; There is also a theory that this is a folk saying used by ginseng pickers during the Qing Dynasty to avoid the government.
Before entering the mountain, the ginseng pickers hold a solemn and simple worship ceremony. They prayed devoutly to the mountain gods for peace and a good harvest. This ritual is not only a respect for nature, but also a kind of psychological preparation for the difficult journey that is about to begin.
After the worship, the ginseng pickers began to look for a suitable place to build a "stick mallet shack". These humble shacks are often built on a leeward and sunny hillside to serve as a temporary home for their life in the mountains.
In the days that follow, these huts will become important places for ginseng pickers to rest, store supplies, and celebrate the harvest. In the process of collecting ginseng, there are many folklore. For example, the mallet bird and the "Najing"
2. Folklore: Stick Mallet Bird and "Najing"
In the folk legend of ginseng picking in Changbai Mountain, there are two mysterious stories, and it is said that there are two things that can guide the direction of the ginseng pickers: one is the legendary "stick mallet bird", and the other is the dream of the ginseng pickers.
The mallet bird is an amazing bird that is said to be able to sense the presence of ginseng. When the red hammer fruit is ripe, the mallet bird makes a special call, as if to convey information about the location of the ginseng to the ginseng picker.
Mallet bird
Interestingly, the calls of the mallet birds vary from region to region.
In the Tonghua area, what people hear is "Brother Wang Gang, Ligu!" "； In the Fusong area, it is "Brother, come quickly, there is a mallet here"; In the Dunhua and Jiaohe areas, the call of the mallet bird is understood as "Brother mallet, where are you?" There's a mallet here."
Although no one has ever seen the mallet bird in person, ginseng pickers are convinced that this mysterious bird is the messenger of ginseng. They listened to every sound in the woods, hoping to catch the guidance of the mallet. This kind of observation and magical imagination of nature constitutes the most unique part of the ginseng picking culture in Changbai Mountain.
In addition to the guidance of the mallet bird, legend has it that ginseng pickers also attach great importance to dreams. They call this kind of dream "Najing" and believe that the different characters that appear in the dream symbolize different grades of ginseng.
ginseng
If you dream of a child, it means that you may find baby ginseng; When you dream of a woman, it is an indication of mature ginseng; And dreaming of an old man is a sign of the most precious six-leaf ginseng.
Legend has it that ginseng pickers would "see" the specific location of ginseng in their dreams. They believe that it is the guidance of the mountain gods or ancestors. The next morning, they follow the instructions in the dream to a specific location to search.
To some extent, this emphasis on dreams also reflects the exploration of people's own subconscious.
During the long process of collecting ginseng, their subconscious may capture some details that were overlooked during the day and present them in the form of dreams. Therefore, "taking the view" is not only a kind of folklore, but also the embodiment of the wisdom of the ginseng people.
3. Sacred rituals: rules and taboos in the process of digging ginseng
In the ginseng-harvesting tradition of Changbai Mountain, the process of digging ginseng is regarded as a sacred ritual, and each step has its own specific rules and taboos.
For example, when a ginseng picker discovers ginseng, the first thing he does is shout out "mallet". This shout is not only to inform companions, but also to the ancient belief that shouting can deter the ginseng and prevent it from "running away".
This practice of anthropomorphizing ginseng reflects the awe and cherishment of this rare plant.
Immediately afterward, the veteran will ask the discoverer about the grade of ginseng. Depending on the age and quality of the ginseng, the ginseng pickers perform different rituals. The most important of these are "wearing a halter" and "raising a mallet".
"Wearing a halter" is an extremely elaborate process. The ginseng picker will use two branched branches and carefully insert them on both sides of the ginseng plant.
Then, they wrap the ginseng plant with a red velvet rope tied to the ends of the copper coin, and place the copper coin on the fork of the branch. This seemingly simple action actually contains profound meanings: the red velvet rope symbolizes respect and blessings for ginseng, while the copper coin represents wealth and good fortune.
"Carrying the mallet" is a more solemn ritual. When a particularly prized ginseng is dug up, the ginseng picker wraps it in fresh moss and carefully places it in a bark tube made from freshly peeled linden or birch bark. If it is a particularly large ginseng, it will even be tied to the back of the discoverer, and he will carry it back to the shack himself.
The whole excavation process requires a great deal of patience and skill. Ginseng pickers will lie on the ground and dig little by little with a special deer bone drill for fear of hurting the roots of the ginseng.
During the excavation process, the ginseng pickers hold a wooden stick called a "shuttle stick" in their hands.
This stick is not only used to pluck through the weeds to find ginseng, but also has multiple functions: the copper coin string at the top can make a sound, which is used to scare wild beasts; The sound of tapping on the trunk of a tree can be used as a communication signal between peers.
4. Life in the Mountains: The Beliefs and Traditions of the Fangshan People
In addition to these folklore, it is said that in the depths of Changbai Mountain there is also a special group of people called "mountain herders". They live in the mountains for a long time and make a living by collecting ginseng. The lifestyle and beliefs and customs of the Fangshan people constitute the most unique part of the ginseng picking culture in Changbai Mountain.
The mountain people have a deep respect for the mountain gods and the old leaders. Every time before entering the mountain, they hold a solemn worship ceremony.
During this ceremony, the mountain bearer prays to the mountain god for blessings and wishes for a safe and abundant harvest.
The life of the Shanfang people was extremely difficult. Before entering the mountains, they need to carry a large amount of supplies, including millet, pickles, simple cooking utensils, and various production tools.
These supplies are needed to sustain them in the mountains for months. During this time, they have to contend with wild animals, bad weather, and various natural threats, while also focusing on finding precious ginseng.
There is a strict division of labor and cooperation among the mountain people. They are usually divided into two forms: group gangs and individual groups. When working together to release the mountain, everyone has a clear responsibility, and the experienced "leader" is in charge of the overall situation.
During their time in the mountains, there were many taboos and rules for the Shanren. For example, they are not allowed to say more than one word, do not do one thing more, and must pay attention to auspiciousness when speaking.
When ginseng is found, the mountain bearer shouts "mallet". This is not only to inform companions, but is also believed to be able to deter ginseng and prevent it from "running away".
After the ginseng collection is over, the mountain people will go to the old head temple to give thanks. They firmly believe that the wishes made must be fulfilled or misfortune will be incurred.
It is precisely because of this unique cultural value that the custom of collecting ginseng in Changbai Mountain was included in the second batch of national intangible cultural heritage list in 2008, and has been protected and inherited at the national level.
epilogue
The ginseng picking custom of Changbai Mountain is like a thick historical book, recording the interaction between man and nature in this land. From the mysterious mallet bird to the allegorical dream interpretation; From the solemn ceremony of digging ginseng to the arduous life in the mountains, every detail shows the wisdom of the ginseng pickers and their awe for nature.
These ancient customs are not just a means of livelihood, but also a cultural inheritance. They carry the Changbai Mountain people's understanding of nature, their love for life, and their hope for the future. In today's rapid development of modern technology, these traditional customs undoubtedly provide us with a window to rethink the relationship between man and nature.
What do you think differently about this?
Resources:
CCTV - The Mysterious Customs of Digging Ginseng CCTV International 2003-06-04 10:04
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