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.
WeiBaDa 维巴达 is a Dai ritual worshipping traces of Buddha, such as footprints and handprints, in Jinggu county 景谷县.
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.
Remote temple in Weishan, site of temple fair.
Hometown of many Bai merchants, Xizhou boast some impressive architecture.
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.
Village Benzhu Temple.
Best surviving station on the French-built Vietnam-Kunming railway.
Upcoming Festivals
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Walnut Festival | 01 Sep |
| Benzhu Worship | 02 Sep |
| Caishen Birthday | 03 Sep |
| Lanterns on the Lake | 03 Sep |
| Benzhu Worship | 03 Sep |
| Songgui Temple Fair | 03 Sep |
| Dragon King Worship | 04 Sep |
| Benzhu Worship (Fengyu Area) | 04 Sep |
| Fangsheng at Bamu Temple | 04 Sep |
| Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) | 04 Sep |
| Benzhu Worship | 04 Sep |
| Fangsheng | 04 Sep |
Markets this Friday
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Duomei | 朵美 |
| Xiangtu | 象图乡 |
| Hecun | 萂村 |
| Junhua | 均化 |
| Jiancao | 捡槽 |
| Waxi | 瓦溪 |
| Gunipen | 沽泥盆 |
| Pingchuan | 平川 |
| Wuxing | 五星 |
| Caicun | 才村 |
| Dali | 大理 |
| Liuhe | 六合 |
| Heqing | 鹤庆县 |
| Baidangping | 白荡坪 |
| Yangbi | 漾濞彝族自治县 |
| Shaxi | 沙溪 |
| Yousuo | 右所镇 |
| 大栗树 | |
| Jijie | 鸡街乡 |
| 果城村 | |
| Wachang | 瓦厂乡 |
| Xinjie | 新街镇 |
| Mizhi | 密祉镇 |
| 龙洞村 | |
| Shalong | 沙龙镇 |
| 汤涧 | |
| Xiazhuang | 下庄镇 |
| Xishan | 西山乡 |
| Liuchang | 刘厂镇 |
| Zhaotong | 昭通 |
|---|---|
| Shuanghe | 双河 |
| Puer | 普洱 |
|---|---|
| Donghui | 东回镇 |
| Fubang | 富邦乡 |
| Meizi | 梅子镇 |
| Menglian | 孟连傣族拉祜族佤族自治县 |
| Xuelin | 雪林佤族乡 |
| Mujia | 木戛乡 |
| Mengsuo | 勐梭镇 |
| Ankang | 安康佤族乡 |
| Wendong | 文东佤族乡 |
| Diqing | 迪庆 |
|---|---|
| Zhonglu | 中路 |