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China's Gun Culture

IndiatimesUpdated on Jun 01, 2013, 16:09 IST

In the village of Basha guns and gunpowder pots have become part of traditional dress, while firing towards sky is seen as a ritual to welcome guests.

An ethnic Miao woman walks through a field in morning fog the village of Basha, Congjiang county, Gu... Read More

An ethnic Miao woman walks through a field in morning fog the village of Basha, Congjiang county, Guizhou province May 22, 2013. The village, an old ethnic Miao settlement with a population of 2,200, is believed to be the last community authorized by the Chinese government to keep guns. Although people in Basha no longer subsist on hunting, guns and gunpowder pots have become part of their traditional dress, while firing towards the sky is seen as a ritual to welcome guests, according to local media. Photo: Reuters

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Ethnic Miao craftsman Gun Laosheng, 46, makes part of a gun at a small workshop in the village of Basha in Congjiang county, Guizhou province May 22, 2013. Photo: Reuters

Ethnic Miao craftsman Gun Laosheng, 46, makes part of a gun at a small workshop. Photo: Reuters

Ethnic Miao craftsman Gun Laosheng, 46, makes a gun butt at a workshop in the village of Basha in Congjiang county, Guizhou province, May 22, 2013. Photo: Reuters

Ethnic Miao man Gun Yuangu, 45, uses a twig and engine oil to lubricate a gun at his house in the village of Basha. Photo: Reuters

Ethnic Miao man Gun Liangma, 44, teaches his 10-year-old son Gun Diuliang about guns at their house in the village of Basha. Photo: Reuters

Ethnic Miao man Gun Yuangu (R, in yellow), 45, serves noodles during lunch with neighbours at his house at the village of Basha in Congjiang county, Guizhou province May 21, 2013. Photo: Reuters

Villagers serve noodles during lunch in the village of Basha in Congjiang county, Guizhou province May 21, 2013. Photo: Reuters

Ethnic Miao man Gun Liangma, 44, and his son Gun Diuliang, 10, shoulder their guns as they walk home after a shooting practice in the village of Basha in Congjiang county, Guizhou province, May 21, 2013. Photo: Reuters

An ethnic Miao man Gun Liangma, 44, makes a target before shooting practice, in a field in the village of Basha, Congjiang county, Guizhou province, May 22, 2013. Photo: Reuters