My homeland Lijiang

Author: Bai Lang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-02-01
Features: An ancient Naxi song says, "Trees and stones make time flow." In February 17, 1906, the Frenchman Fran?ois Baudchand arrived in Lijiang Ancient Town with a monkey. Before that, he traveled like a marine animal, crawling in a sheepskin filled with gas, across the Jinsha River. Two Naxi boatmen, wrapped in white cloth around their buttocks, escorted him through the water. In Lijiang Ancient Town, Baudchand saw the setting sun brilliantly illuminating the snow of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The Four-Square Street was filled with a mixed scent of fish and incense. Horses slipped on the smooth stone pavement, a crane sang loudly in the nearby paddy fields, flocks of birds whispered on the ancient pagodas, and the clear melody of a bamboo flute flowed down the painted walls and dark tiles. Nearly a century has passed. When I returned to Lijiang in May 2002, everything Baudchand described, except for the sunset and snow, had vanished without a trace. The ancient Lijiang, encased in steel and concrete, had entered a brand-new modern era, filled with tourists singing and dancing, flashy fake antiques, and ostentatiously elegant red lanterns. Strolling around the ancient town for half a day, I barely saw a few Naxi people in traditional attire. As a Naxi person, I felt a sense of "living elsewhere." The possibility of the former Naxi ancient town becoming a "pseudo-Naxi ancient town" has been increasing, and tradition is dying bit by bit. "Every death takes away a part of me," leaving me with the pain of bones being burned by fire. Gazing at the sorrowful snow of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the sky, flowers withered and branches fell silent. I stood motionless at Yin Snow Bridge, gazing up at the desolate snow of the Naxi sacred mountain, which now lies under the encirclement of tourism. I couldn’t help but recall the scene of returning to Lijiang from Jiangnan in January 1988. It was my first time back home during my university years. After traveling nearly 4,000 kilometers, I boarded a bus from Dali to Lijiang. The bus, like a beetle, wound through red earth and green forests, climbing over the Iron Armor Mountain. Suddenly, the boundless blue sky revealed the towering snow peak of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, its brilliance from above captivating me. Gazing deeply at my people’s sacred mountain, my tears flowed uncontrollably, unable to stop. At that moment, I found the roots of my life. This experience convinced me firmly that as a race that has always followed the earth, the salvation of the Naxi people in the future can only come from the earth!
Humanities refer to various cultural phenomena in human society. China refers to the collective name of the 56 ethnic groups in our country. The humanities of China have a long history, once glorious, now splendid, and tomorrow bright. In terms of space, it is vast, with numerous ethnic groups, diverse and unique, standing alone in the East. Philosophy, economy, military, science and technology, law, ethics, education, ethnicity, religion, literature, archaeology, cultural relics, and folk customs have evolved in the long river of history, accumulating immeasurable wealth. Despite being mixed with good and bad, they have permeated the social life of the Chinese nation for generations, influencing every Chinese citizen. Looking back at traditional humanities, refine the essence, discard the dross, learn from the past to enlighten the present; facing the transformation and integration of contemporary humanities; exchange and help each other; comprehensively expand; look forward to the future of humanities, recreate glory, refresh the era, and shine worldwide. Crossing the time tunnel and embarking on a cultural journey, we integrate the scattered fragments of civilization across the land of China. Reflecting on the past and carrying forward the future. Following the direction of advanced culture, we present the "Humanities of China" series, allowing readers to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the various cultures of China through engaging and accessible visuals, thereby enhancing their cultural literacy and inspiring their passion for loving China. We sincerely hope that scholars and experts, in addition to their academic research, can contribute to the "Humanities of China" series. If you are willing to share works that align with the style of this series, we would be deeply grateful.