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Learning in Na Communities . Lugu Lake, China. Tami Blumenfield (tamiblu@u.washington.edu) University of Washington Dept. of Anthropology. Presented to Anthropology 470: Minority Peoples of China March 3, 2009. Background: Who are the Na?.
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Learning in Na Communities Lugu Lake, China Tami Blumenfield (tamiblu@u.washington.edu) University of Washington Dept. of Anthropology Presented to Anthropology 470: Minority Peoples of China March 3, 2009
Background: Who are the Na? • 30,000 people living in Himalayan Foothills (northwest Yunnan, southwest Sichuan) • Sexual visit system and extended family households • Schooling since 1960s; compulsory schooling beginning in late 1990s • Tourism since 1990s
Background: Ethnic Diversity • Minority Region, but not just Na • Yi, Han, and Pumi are other significant populations in the region In Yongning Township: Na 摩梭人 (37.6%) Han 汉族 (25.5%) Yi 彝族 (19.3%) Pumi 普米族 (9.9%)
Four Forms of Learning • ‘Traditional’ village-based learning • Religious education • School education • Tourism and migration
‘Traditional’ Learning • ‘Traditional’ learning: • Family-based • Peer-based • Apprentice-based • Knowledge transmitted: • Morals and manners • Skills • Ecological knowledge • Medicinal knowledge
Religious Education • Daba shamans • Gelugpa sect of ‘Tibetan Buddhism’ and another sect • Zhameisi Monastery in Yongning • Temples in Zebo, Luoshui, and Latadi
Religious Education • Funerals, ceremonies, and daily rites
School Education • State-run Chinese-language schools • Compulsory schooling through junior middle school (chuzhong)
School Education • Quality • Accessibility • Affordability
Tourism and Migration Local and regional tourism since 1990s changing the landscape and economy Interactions between tourists and Na as a form of learning Development of museums and exhibits to educate tourists about Na culture
Interactions between tourists and Na as a form of learning Lige Village
Strong emphasis on education by visitors Luoshui Village
Wenquan Yanyuan County --> Yongning Lige Lugu Lake Tuozhi Luoshui Satellite Image Source: Google Earth
Educational Aid • Educational NGOs, informal donations and volunteers • From the Moso Education Fund to “Edu-aid in YongNing” 永宁山区爱心助学行动 (www.luguhu.org) • Complications of ethnicity and education
Husi Chawu: Cafe and Guesthouse Luoshui Village
Site of an Education Fund (Since 2001) Luoshui Village
Where There Be Dragons Bulletin Board Posts “We also had the privelige of teaching English at a Muosu elementary school. The school had been destroyed the previous year by an earthquake and the children were still having to attend classes in tents. We were happy to give our time and even provided each child a pencil, a small token by our standards but not an insignificant gift in a region as poor and remote as this one.” Posted from Kunming, 10/22/02 9:42:53 AM http://www.wheretherebedragons.com/participants/participantstxt.asp?CID=100&s=1&artID=1489&artTop=2 (accessed January 22, 2004)
“No matter how poor, don’t impoverish the children… No matter how bitter, don’t make it bitter for the children!”
Can the Four Forms of Learning be Complementary? • ‘Traditional’ village-based learning • Religious education • School education • Tourism and migration
Thank you! Questions or comments? Email tamiblu@u.washington.edu