Yunnan revealed

In preparation for this month's exciting Global Weekend series of programs, Yunnan Revealed (see p. 70), Teddy Yoshikami, Manager of Public Programs, Department of Education, traveled to China's Yunnan Province.

To reach the village of Yubeng, she traveled by car, by horseback, and on foot. There she met with Tibetan villagers who are documenting the area and their lives as part of the Nature Conservancy's Photovoice project, which puts cameras in the hands of the villagers themselves to empower their participation in regional conservation efforts and cultural preservation. Some of these photographs and their accompanying stories are on view in the Museum in the compelling exhibition Voices from South of the Clouds (see p. 70).

The cameras have become a part of the people's lives, capturing their everyday existence against a breathtaking backdrop: steep, rocky, and, at times, muddy terrain against expansive green or glacial-blue mountains; blue skies above with mushrooms, moss, tall pine trees, and mountain flowers blanketing the ground. During the day, the snow-covered tops of Mt. Kawagebo are visible, and at night the stars shine clearly.

Traveling south by van, Teddy and her Nature Conservancy companions were hindered by rockslides but continued on to Deqin, Benzilan, Zhongdian (now marketed as Shangri-la), and Lijiang. They enjoyed delicious meals, mostly spicy, of meats, yogurt, and fresh vegetables and fruits. Teddy claims to have even started liking Tibetan yak tea!

At the end of her trip, Teddy met with the the Yunnan Indigenous Musicians and Dancers in Kunming, where they had gathered to make final preparations for their trip abroad. Anxious and excited about their first trip to the United States, the troupe made last-minute changes to the pieces selected, costumes, and purpose. Teddy worked with the musicians and watched a final preview performance. She observed and learned about the colorful Yi embroidery on their costumes, the Naxi dongba ritual, and other elements of the program they will bring to the Museum on October 15.

For details on the Yunnan Revealed programs, visit www.amnh.org.

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COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning