（Play All）Formal story texts: The Stories of Hero Tian and Duke Peng

Contents

1.3.1: The Story of Hero Tian
1.3.2: The Story of Duke Peng

1.3.1: The Story of Hero Tian

Tian Jinggui, Dianfang Township, Longshan County
recorded on 19 June 2002

This text tells the traditional story of Hero Tian, one of the three great quasi-historical (c.10th century) heroes of the Tujia in Xiangxi, along with General Xiang and Duke Peng. The tale focuses on the strength and martial prowess of Hero Tian. In the past Tujia society was based on small groups of farmers who regularly trained together as skilled fighting units, and Tujia soldiers were well known throughout China for their success in battles. This is a prepared text, written down using Chinese characters as phonetic aide-memoires to indicate Tujia words.

1.3.2: The Story of Duke Peng

Tian Jinggui, Dianfang Township, Longshan County
recorded on 04 July 2002

This text tells the traditional story of Duke Peng, one of the three great quasi-historical heroes of the Tujia in Xiangxi, along with General Xiang and Hero Tian. The tale tells how Duke Peng ousted Wuzuocong, freeing the Tujia people in the area from oppression and becoming their leader. In real life, Peng Jian, who defeated the existing ruler of the northern Xiangxi area in 910, primarily differed from his predecessor in initiating a dynasty that would rule the area continuously for a staggering 818 years. The dynasty only came to an end when the Qing court replaced such feudal rulers with directly appointed officials in the gaituguiliu reforms of the early 18th century (see Introduction). This is a prepared text, written down using Chinese characters as phonetic aide-memoires to indicate Tujia words.