Budapulamu Temple



The Dai People in the Unated States


The Dai People in the Unated States




The Dai People in the Unated States



(by Daofuxiang)

We arrived at Denver on November 20, 2011,Some Dai people live there.When we were out of the airport, more than 10 of the Dai people were waiting at the exit, they greeted and talked with us with Dai-people's language.

We are very cordial to hear Dai-people's language in the United States,then we traveled to Mengliangehubady village, Denver,Colorado.It's a plain, no rivers on both sides, water shortages in Denver, residents had limited water.When we went on,Increasingly broad front, but the sky is not blue, not green grass, America in winter is brown.There is almost 60 miles from Denver International Airport to Mengliangehubady village,it took us more than 50 minutes, when we reached,president of village Hong Yan shuai and the other local Dai- people received us.

There are more than 190 families, 900 Dai-people in Mengliangehubady village,about 250 households, 1200 people in the vicinity of Dai scattered.Mainuo Nanshagongnagong,an old man of the village told us that at first they moved to Laos, Thailand from Xishuangbanna in 1950sand 1960s,and in 1970s and 1980s they gradually moved to Denver from Laos and Thailand.

Denver is very cold in winter, a challenge for them who is long lived in the tropical rain forest region.Villagers in Mengliangehubady village have given up the habit of living bamboo house, buy brick houses from local developers.they strive to learn English, try to integrate into American society,but, their diet, dress, religious practices retained Dai'characteristics.In the U.S., there are still many Dai people in Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles,However, there is no specific Dai Association, no one had statistics.

Budapulamu Temple

Dai-people in Mengliangehubady village built a simple temple when they arrived the United States,eight years ago, the local Dai people raised funds to purchase 42 acres of multi-party land and built a Budapulamu Temple.We were filled with emotion when we saw this temple.Although it can not compare with architecture of Dai's ancient temple, but it remains features of Dai's temple,for instance,Hall door, roof and other decorative.The cold wind hit, the wind chimes sends out "dingdong" .Budapulamu Temple has hall, dormitory, activity space, kitchen and so on.Many people come here to hold assembly, worship, mutual exchange, and entertainment every weekend,Budapulamu Temple has become an important place for local Dai people.

Elders of village held the grand traditional tying ceremony for us in the temple's activities room.We were chated with person who was in charge of the village,and learn about their work and life.Through discussion , deepened each other's impression, promoted friendship.We are told that they still retain the traditional culture although they are far away from their native land,they want to communicate with Dai-people of the native land,bw understood by their homeland, hoped to strengthen exchanges and help each other to promote bilateral economic and cultural progress in the future.

There are hupa and monks who wear robes in Budapulamu Temple, "Bo Zhang" manage religious affairs.Buddhist temple use old Dai language book of Xishuangbanna.Some villagers took the child to Dai temple to learn old Dai languageon,chant on holidays.Dai cultural is inherited in the United States.

We were invited by Aimaiwen in the evening.There are six people in Aimaiwen's family, they lived in a single cottage with several comfortably furnished rooms underground which can experience hurricane and earthquake evacuation.Aimaiwen's house is spacious,clean more than 200 square meters.The living room is also decorated with a few precious Laos-style wood furniture.The host served us Dai dishes,such as sticky rice, "Duosa', barbecue, grilled fish, boiled Sour Bamboo Shoots, as well as the good wine.We shouted "Sui,Sui,Sui", toasted each other.

Aimaiwen is 48-year-old, he knows Dai, Laotian and English.His repair skill is super.He works in a garage.He drives out to work  early in the morning, return home in the evening every day.He uses holidays repair for friends, neighbors, villagers,He is busy and happy.(Editor:Yan Jiqi)