The Bai in Early Chinese Minority Film
After Liberation in 1949 Chinese cinema became a propaganda medium for the New China. The 1950 saw cinemas spreading to all towns, showing movies meant to increase the socialist spirit and fostering national unit. China's ethnic minorities often featured in these films before the Cultural Revolution. Only after its end played ethnic minority themes a role again. Here we look at films from before 2000 that feature the Bai minority.
Lingjiu Temple near Fengyu is said to date back to Nanzhao, but the current structures are from the Qing Dynasty
Jim Goodman: The Terrace Builders: The Hani and their Neighbors in Yunnan's Ailao Mountains
Abstract: The rice terraces of the Ailao Mountains in southern Yunnan province, China, are some of the oldest terraced farms in Asia. First mentioned in Tang Dynasty records, these farms, 80% of which are irrigated, with water running through them all year round, have been in continuous use for over a thousand years. In 2013 UNESCO declared the heartland of this area a World Heritage Site. The Terrace Builders is a detailed account of how these farms are made and used, the cities and mountains of Honghe Prefecture and the far north of Vietnam, as well as the various ethnic minorities who live there. The book pays special attention to the Hani people, the largest ethnic group in the area, and includes summaries of the culture and clothing of their neighbors the Yi, Miao, Yao, Zhuang and Dai. The book includes 300 photos of the land and its people.
A number of Chinese historic texts covering life and politics in Yunnan have survived over the centuries. I have translated a few of them.
Brenda McLean: George Forrest, Plant Hunter
George Forrest, perhaps the most successful plant collector of his time, left little written about his numerous journeys to Yunnan, so this well-illustrated book fills in much needed detail about his life.
Nuodeng is an ancient Bai salt producing village in Yunlong.
Upcoming Festivals
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Fishpond Fair | 06 Oct |
| Cold Dew | 08 Oct |
| Baitan Temple Fair | 09 Oct |
| Benzhu Worship on Jiansuo Island | 14 Oct |
| Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) | 14 Oct |
| Benzhu Worship | 14 Oct |
| Benzhu Worship (Fengyu Area) | 14 Oct |
| Benzhu Worship (Dengchuan Area) | 14 Oct |
| Benzhu Worship | 14 Oct |
| Flower Lantern | 15 Oct |
| Lajing Salt Road Culture Festival | 15 Oct |
| Mountain God Temple Worship | 16 Oct |
Markets this Thursday
| Kunming | 昆明 |
|---|---|
| Tuanjie | 团结 |
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Nanxin | 南新 |
| Niujie | 牛街 |
| Yangcen | 羊岑 |
| Wanqiao | 湾桥 |
| Maidi | 脉地 |
| Xintun | 辛屯 |
| Gudi | 古底 |
| Songgui | 松桂 |
| Taiyi | 太邑彝族乡 |
| Qiaohou | 乔后 |
| Daying | 大营 |
| Huangping | 黄平镇 |
| Hongyan | 红岩镇 |
| Qiaodian | 乔甸镇 |
| Shalong | 沙龙镇 |
| Hedian | 禾甸镇 |
| Xiazhuang | 下庄镇 |
| 龙洞村 | |
| 太和社区 | |
| 鲁庄 |
| Lijiang | 丽江 |
|---|---|
| Shigu | 石鼓镇 |
| Xishuangbanna | 西双版纳 |
|---|---|
| Xiding | 西定哈尼族乡 |
| Wenshan | 文山 |
|---|---|
| Zhujie | 朱街镇 |
| Lida | 里达镇 |
| Shuanglongying | 双龙营乡 |
| Mugan | 木杆 |
| Zhulin | 珠琳镇 |
| Puer | 普洱 |
|---|---|
| Jiangcheng | 江城哈尼族彝族自治县 |
| Jiahe | 嘉禾乡 |
| Menglian | 孟连傣族拉祜族佤族自治县 |
| Mengsuo | 勐梭镇 |