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.
The temple in Mangdao 芒岛, built in 1899, is one of few surviving examples of Dai Buddhist temples having survived the Cultural Revolution by being converted into grain storage.
Fei Hsiao-Tung and Chang Chih-I: Earthbound China: A Study of Rural Economy in Yunnan
Fei is the father of modern sociology in China: western-trained, he came to Yunnan at the end of the 1930s when China's eastern universities relocated west. In "Earthbound China" he applied modern empirical techniques that he had pioneered around Shanghai to the Chinese hinterland. The economical development, and subsequent societal changes, of three un-named, but typical villages in Yunnan is analyzed in great detail in this fascinating study.
A number of Chinese historic texts covering life and politics in Yunnan have survived over the centuries. I have translated a few of them.
With its well-preserved architecture and tranquil atmosphere, Weishan's capital is Yunnan's most beautiful county town.
Ronald G. Knapp: China's Old Dwellings
Few people know as much about Chinese architecture as Knapp: from palaces to humble homes he explains important building principles; the connection between environment and housing styles and the development of style over time. A section on minority housing styles complements the book.
Special form of ham making in Nanjian.
The Danxia, or red sandstore, cliffs around Liming are a hikers' and climbers' paradise that is just now being discovered.
Upcoming Festivals
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Perseid Meteor Shower | 12 Aug |
| Wumulong Torch Festival | 12 Aug |
| New Moon Ritual | 13 Aug |
| Camel Festival | 13 Aug |
| Baijie Festival | 13 Aug |
| Yinongwu | 13 Aug |
| Ghost Month | 13 Aug |
| Longkan Ghost Festival | 13 Aug |
| Ghost Month Ritual | 14 Aug |
| Dicang Fair | 15 Aug |
| Wild Mushroom Festival | 16 Aug |
| Mule Fair | 17 Aug |
Markets this Wednesday
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Shuixie | 水泄 |
| Shunbi | 順濞 |
| Shaba | 沙坝 |
| Huangping | 黄平镇 |
| Zhongying | 种英 |
| Zhongjiang | 中江 |
| Gonglang | 公郎镇 |
| Shanglan | 上兰 |
| Zhouguanying | 周官营 |
| Shangcang | 上沧 |
| 前所 | |
| 顺荡 | |
| 龙街 | |
| Qinghaiying | 青海营 |
| 云南驿村 | |
| Beiya | 北衙 |
| Jindunjiecun | 金墩街村 |
| Gongguoqiao | 功果桥镇 |
| Lijiang | 丽江 |
|---|---|
| Shunzhou | 顺州 |
| Honghe | 红河 |
|---|---|
| Zhicun | 芷村镇 |
| Niujiaozhai | 牛角寨 |
| Lvchun | 绿春县 |
| Majie | 马街 |
| Longwu | 龙武镇 |
| Baiyun | 白云乡 |
| Nanke | 南科 |
| Yongning | 永宁乡 |
| Jinping | 金平苗族瑶族傣族自治县 |
| Mengqiao | 勐桥乡 |
| Tutai | 土台 |
| Hongtian | 红田 |
| Wenshan | 文山 |
|---|---|
| Pingzhai | 平寨乡 |
| Banlun | 板仑乡 |
| Banggu | 蚌谷乡 |
| Muyang | 木央镇 |
| Nanping (Majie) | 南屏镇 (马街） |
| Baoshan | 保山市 |
|---|---|
| Xiaopingtian | 小平田 |
| Tengchong | 腾冲县 |
| Wama | 瓦马彝族白族乡 |
| Diqing | 迪庆 |
|---|---|
| Kaifaqu | 开发区 |