The Lisu Hill Tribe
Location: Yunnan, China
Mission Statement
The China Exploration and Research Society (CERS) has been involved with cultural conservation for over two decades. It started as documentation of many indigenous cultures unique to China's minority nationalities, many of which were in the process of disintegration, assimilation, or simply eclipsing in modern times. They gradually moved into the design and implementation of culture projects, at times involving entire local communities, which preserves both material and intellectual culture. In the former they attempt to conserve and restore entire ensembles of architecture, up to twenty houses or more in some projects. In the latter they document and support collections of ethnic music and legends. CERS is also aims to build important repository of many old records, select pictures and films.
Background Information
The Lisu people presently populate areas of Yunnan, Myanmar and Northern Thailand and originated from Eastern Tibet. Most Lisu tribes are situated high in the mountains or in mountain valleys and traditionally their subsistence were based on paddy fields, mountain rice, growing fruit and vegetables and animal husbandry. However, they often live in ecologically sensitive areas and depend a lot on trade. The unique culture of the Lisu is best represented by their songs and attire. Lisu women in particular adorn themselves in colorful clothes and accessories especially on festival days. However, much of their culture is being eroded as it becomes easier and more profitable for Lisu people to seek work in towns and cities.
Activities of Organisation
CERS undertook a project in Yunnan to protect the rare snub-nosed golden monkey. CERS realized that to make this conservation project successful they would also have to take into account the traditional culture and economic realities of the Lisu people. By balancing conservation of nature and culture, CERS saved and restored two Lisu log homes and a group of affiliated storage cabins. These have been serving as habitat exhibits for Lisu culture with the aim of bringing more tourists to the area.
Consensus Community Perspective
This echoes the tenants of the Himalayan consensus to combine cultural and environmental/species conservation. Through protecting Lisu hill tribe buildings the project realizes this necessity. Furthermore, conserving the traditional log cabins as a heritage exhibit retains and spreads interest of Lisu culture. As this area becomes more popular with travelers this information will be disseminated more widely. This embodies the concepts of the Himalayan consensus by reinvigorating local economies whilst also championing local culture.
Website: Visit this community's website