WUSHISAN: MONGGHUL (TU) EARRINGS AND TOBACCO PIPES IN HUZHU COUNTY, QINGHAI PROVINCE, PR CHINA

This article introduces Wushisan (b. 1948), a Tu (Mongghul, Monguor) resident of Dangyan Village, Naja Administrative Village, Weiyuan Town, Huzhu Tu Autonomous County, Haidong Municipality, Qinghai Province, PR China. In 2020, he continued to wear an earring, bracelet, and finger ring. Wushisan's life experiences and his family background vividly characterize traditional Mongghul men. On 7 June 2020, I interviewed Wushisan at his home, recorded both interviews, transcribed the audio material in Mongghul, translated it into English, and wrote it in English. Traditionally the first-born Mongghul son had both his ears pierced for qigi nukula 'earrings' to protect against disease and ensure a long life. Mongghul men also smoked periodically throughout the day using an excellent huangsa 'pipe', which was considered an essential ornament for a man. Wushisan's village of Dangyan is five kilometers from Weiyuan, the seat of Huzhu Tu Autonomous County, Haidong Municipality, Qinghai Province, PR China. This article explores why Wushisan continues to smoke a pipe and wear an earring. I interviewed Wushisan in Dangyan Village and recorded our conversations using an audio recorder. He rarely leaves his village. To the best of my knowledge, in 2020, he was the last Mongghul man in Huzhu Mongghul communities, still smoking tobacco with a pipe and wearing a silver earring, bracelet, and finger ring. I transcribed the audio material first in Mongghul and then translated it into English.