sichuan

Rgyal rong Tibetan Life, Language, and Folklore in Rgyas bzang Village

Abstract: 
This study of Rgyas bzang (Jizong) Village includes a brief summary of G.yu 'brug's life, local languages and location, agriculture, sleeping, eating, childbirth and child raising, stone houses, stone towers, taboos and customs, and folktales, a short story, annual religious rituals, death rituals, pilgrimage to Mount Dmu rdo, marriage, education, a glossary of non-English terms, a Rgyas bzang Tibetan Dialect-English word list, and an English-Rgyas bzang Tibetan Dialect word list.

Matrilineal Marriage in Tibetan Areas In Western Sìchuān Province

Abstract: 
The marriage and family organization of the Zhaba 扎巴 people in Western Sìchuān 四川 Province is similar to that practiced by the Nàxi Mósūo 纳西摩梭. The Zhaba 扎坝2 Region is another matrilineal culture region in addition to the Lúgū 泸沽 Region in Yúnnán 云南 Province. The area has only recently begun modernizing because of its isolation. 'Visiting marriages' and matrilineal family organization continue to play an important role in Zhaba culture. This research contributes new material to the anthropological study of matrilineal societies. 

Horse Race

Another winner from the Aba Prefecture horse race. The man on the right is the horse’s owner, and the jockey is his son.

Photographer: 
Mehla

Kids

Most nomad children don’t like to wear their clothes when they play on sunny days. The two boys are real brothers and she is their cousin, but would be called their sister. She is using a Tibetan robe as her cushion and is interested in their games.

Photographer: 
Mehla

Woman and Child

Tsojyi sits next to her stove with her little niece tied in her apron. They are waiting for the tea to boil.

Photographer: 
Mehla

Kids

My nephew and niece play a game at the door of our tent.

Photographer: 
Mehla

Child

Joudanjie is one year and eight months old. She is growing up in a nomadic family in this black tent. She is the youngest child and only daughter in her family. She is cared for by her grandmother, because her parents are busy and they have no time to take care of her well. So she left her mother when she was three months old. She likes to play games near the tent. She is happy wearing her new dress.

Photographer: 
Mehla

Making Butter

My mother Suglo is fifty-four years old. She makes female yak butter every afternoon because we need the pot for pouring cream into the next day. She said that churning butter makes her hands tired during hot days, because on sunny days the cream becomes warm, and is more difficult to churn.

Photographer: 
Mehla