On the Statelets between Nanzhao and the Dali Kingdom
After the demise of Nanzhao 南诏, the Buddhist kingdom that integrated the tribes of the Erhai region in the second half of the first millennium, local strongmen proclaimed a succession of short-lived statelets before Duan Siping 段思平 in 937 CE established the Dali Kingdom 大理国.
In Huize, the old capital of copper in Yunnan, many splendid guildhalls survive.
Judith Shapiro: Mao's War Against Nature: Politics and the Environment in Revolutionary China
Even if Chinese civilization has developed more against than with nature, the Mao years were a particular exercise in environmental destruction. In one case-study Shapiro tells the story of the draining of the northern part of Dianchi Lake, one of the first steps turning Kunming's lake into the fetid cess-pool it is today.
A number of Chinese historic texts covering life and politics in Yunnan have survived over the centuries. I have translated a few of them.
Fog swirling on a cold winter morning over endless rice-terraces, the red of the
early morning sun reflected in the flooded paddies: this is the classic view of the
Hani Rice Terraces of Yuanyang, now of UNESCO World Heritage status.
Jim Goodman: The Akha: Guardians of the Forest
The Akha, in China known as the Aini branch of the Hani people, migrated from China southwards into Laos, Burma and Thailand. In this richly illustrated book J Goodman, aka 'Akha Jim', explains their life and culture.
Dali's dragon boat races were held on the day of the Torch Festival.
The turn of the Yangzi made Chinese civilization possible and was the location of many important battles.
Upcoming Festivals
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Daba Spring Festival Evening Party | 16 Feb |
| Spring Festival | 17 Feb |
| Spring Festival | 17 Feb |
| Benzhu Worship | 17 Feb |
| Chickenfoot Mountain Kasyapa Festival | 17 Feb |
| Heshen Festival | 17 Feb |
| Daguan Park Lantern Festival | 17 Feb |
| Benzhu Worship | 17 Feb |
| Dalaogeng | 17 Feb |
| Benzhu Worship | 17 Feb |
| New Year Ritual | 17 Feb |
| Heqing Receiving | 17 Feb |
Markets this Wednesday
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Shunbi | 順濞 |
| Shaba | 沙坝 |
| Dali | 大理 |
| Caicun | 才村 |
| Huangping | 黄平镇 |
| Zuòyì | 作邑 |
| Dacang | 大仓镇 |
| Zhongying | 种英 |
| Zhongjiang | 中江 |
| Shanglan | 上兰 |
| Zhouguanying | 周官营 |
| Jindunjiecun | 金墩街村 |
| 三胜 | |
| Houshancun | 后山村 |
| Caifeng | 财丰 |
| Hongyan | 红岩镇 |
| Shangcang | 上沧 |
| Shalong | 沙龙镇 |
| Gongguoqiao | 功果桥镇 |
| Hedian | 禾甸镇 |
| Miaojie | 庙街镇 |
| 龙洞村 | |
| 顺荡 | |
| 三鹤 | |
| 龙街 | |
| Xiazhuang | 下庄镇 |
| Honghe | 红河 |
|---|---|
| Shengcun | 生村 |
| Zhicun | 芷村镇 |
| Sancun | 三村 |
| Mengping | 勐坪 |
| Baiyun | 白云乡 |
| Shaochong | 哨冲镇 |
| Yongning | 永宁乡 |
| Niujie | 牛街镇 |
| Tutai | 土台 |
| Hongtian | 红田 |
| Wenshan | 文山 |
|---|---|
| Shuanglongying | 双龙营乡 |
| Lida | 里达镇 |
| Zhujie | 朱街镇 |
| Mugan | 木杆 |
| Zhulin | 珠琳镇 |
| Baoshan | 保山市 |
|---|---|
| Xiaopingtian | 小平田 |
| Tengchong | 腾冲县 |
| Wama | 瓦马彝族白族乡 |
| Puer | 普洱 |
|---|---|
| Jiangcheng | 江城哈尼族彝族自治县 |
| Qushui | 曲水乡 |
| Yongping | 永平镇 |
| Meng'a | 孟啊 |