舌尖上的美食 第16期:木棉传说 (the first version)

Huaping specialty—Panzhihua- legend of kapok (the first version)

华坪特色菜—攀枝花-木棉传说（版本一）

In ancient times, a legend has it that a hero named Ji Bei led people of Li people to resist foreign aggression and distinguished himself many times at the risk of his life for which he won the heartfelt support of the general public. Later on, he was betrayed by a traitor and trapped in the mountains. Although hit by a few arrows, he stood erect on the peak and became a kapok tree. The arrows and blood turned into branches and blackish red flowers respectively. In memory of him, the later generation called kapok tree “Ji Bei” and tree of hero respectfully. To further express their love for the ethnic hero, people of Li will plant a kapok tree with much care on every wedding day.

相传古时有位英雄叫吉贝，他多次率领黎族人民抗御外敌，屡建战功，得到人民的爱戴。后因叛徒出卖，被敌人围困在大山上，身中数箭，仍屹立山巅，身躯化为一株木棉树，身上的箭变为树枝，鲜血化成殷红的花朵。后人为纪念他将木棉换做“吉贝”也尊称木棉英雄树。黎族人民为了表示对民族英雄的爱戴，每逢男女结婚之日，都要精心种植一株木棉树。