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Around the world in 2000,
via Asia and Madagascar.
China (8 Baisha)
Bec2004-09-18 16:23:32
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Baisha
Baisha, ten kilometers north of Lijiang, was the capital of an independent Naxi kingdom before it was annexed by the Yuan Empire in 1271. The regular minibus service from Lijiang dropped me off not far from the Liuli Temple shown here.
There was quite a lot of constuction work going on for a quiet agricultural village. Here, I finally saw some Naxi men at work.
The few male masons I saw were an exception for most of the work was carried out by women, even the tough and dirty job of mixing lime mortar.
An essential part of the feminine Naxi costume consists of a thick felted pad that they wear on their back to protect their spine from the heavy loads they carry.
Water runs through ditches in every street but these ladies are drawing clean water from a public tap. I presume that means there must be a water treatment plant somewhere even though this is just a small village.
The houses were hidden behind high walls. I peered through the gates and made signs to this lady asking her permission before taking this photo of her house and courtyard. She smiled and even posed for me.
Lo Twa
When I had seen enough of Baisha, the only minibus I found going back to Lijiang was first taking a customer to a farm near Lo Twa. I was delighted by the drive across dirt tracks in the rice fields and by the chance of seeing this hamlet where tourists never go.
Were it not for the electricity and telephone wires and for the occasional TV antenna you think this was a century ago.
No Naxi village can be without running water and you can see on the left below. The boy on the right seemed thrilled to see a stranger in his village and I took his enthusiasm as a sign of welcome.
Copyright Bernard Cloutier
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See photographs from:
China Gallery
