Over the course of their long historical development, the Dongxiang people have cultivated distinctive production and lifestyle practices and have created a rich and diverse body of cultural and artistic traditions.
The traditional attire of the Dongxiang people is characterized by simplicity, neatness, and modest elegance. Historically, women favored embroidered garments featuring stand-up collars, overlapping front panels, and wide sleeves. The cuffs were often trimmed with decorative lace or embroidery. For the lower body, they wore layered trousers with embroidered bands along the pant legs and small slits at the back of the cuffs, which were tied with decorative ribbons. On festive or ceremonial occasions, women would wear embroidered skirts known as guomei (过美), which held particular cultural significance. Footwear typically consisted of delicately embroidered shoes with heels approximately an inch high. In earlier times, women did not wear head veils but instead wrapped their hair with headscarves, often adorning their hair buns with decorative pins and wearing silver ornaments on their chests. It was also common for women’s sleeves to be composed of several fabric segments stitched together, each embroidered with floral or lace patterns. Over time, women's clothing evolved. Most Dongxiang women came to wear head veils (gaitou), typically in green, black, or white. Young women and newlyweds wore green silk or satin veils; women married for one or two years and middle-aged women wore black; elderly women typically wore white. Outer garments were usually made of dark navy or black-blue cloth, while younger women occasionally wore red or green. The tunics were wide and knee-length, with the front panel extending to the back, often layered with a similarly long vest. The trousers were long and extended down to the tops of the feet.
A traditional craftsman is repairing metal tools
Historically, Dongxiang men typically wore loose, long robes secured with wide sashes around the waist. Various personal items—such as small knives, embroidered pouches, snuff bottles, and eyeglass cases — were commonly suspended from the belt. On their heads, they wore soft, flat-topped caps in either black or white. Middle-aged and elderly men often favored traditional long robes and a garment known as zhongbai (仲白), which closely resembles the front-opening robe worn by the Uyghur ethnic group. The zhongbai was usually made from black or gray cloth and was expected to be worn in a neat and orderly manner, with buttons properly fastened and the garment kept clean and presentable.
The Dongxiang people have a deep appreciation for tea and traditionally include it in every meal. Their preferred varieties include Yunnan Chunjian and Shaanxi Green Tea (Shanqing). Guests are welcomed with a special offering known as Three-Fragrance Tea, which is served in a covered bowl containing tea leaves, rock sugar, and dried fruits such as longan, cooked red dates, or raisins. This distinctive preparation is referred to as Sanpao Tai. Smoking and alcohol consumption are generally avoided in Dongxiang culture.
The Dongxiang people are known for their deep respect for elders, care for the young, and generous hospitality. When guests arrive, they are immediately invited to sit on the kang (heated brick bed) and are served the finest tea and food available. While the host remains present during the meal, they typically do not eat or drink with the guest. Instead, they serve food and pour tea while standing nearby, demonstrating courtesy and respect. Common dishes offered to guests include fried dough pastries, hand-pulled mutton (shouzhuayangrou), and stewed chicken. In Dongxiang tradition, a whole chicken is divided into thirteen distinct portions. The tail is considered the most prized part and is served to the eldest or most honored guest.
Eid al-Fitr gathering
The Dongxiang people have preserved a rich tradition of oral narrative poetry and folklore. Many of their epic poems are performed or chanted in the Dongxiang language and follow a spoken-sung style (shuochangti) characterized by flexible form. These narrative poems often include frequent changes in rhyme and lack a fixed melodic structure. The rhythm expands or contracts according to the phrasing of the lyrics, and two alternating melodic motifs are repeated throughout the performance, creating a distinctly chant-like quality. Notable examples still performed today include Milagahai, Zhan Heinam, Shi Sinibi, Hezhe Agu, and Putao E’er. Dongxiang folklore also includes a wealth of legends and tales, which are generally classified into personal legends, place-name legends, and object or landscape-related stories. According to ethnographic surveys, over 1,600 well-documented legends and folk narratives have been collected.
