Hani fields frequented by young people

Editor's note: Since the Hani rice terraces were entitled as a world heritage in 2013, an increasing number of youngsters have returned to their hometown Yuanyang. Some became new apprentices in rice farming, others were engaged in live webcasts. Now the charm of terraced rice fields is known to more, with local agro-specialties sold to urban consumers.

 Hani fields frequented by young people

Featuring high mountains and deep valleys, the Yuanyang county falls under the jurisdiction of Honghe Hani and Yi autonomous prefecture in the south of Yunnan province, where the Hani ethnic group has lived and thrived for thousands of years. With their industrious hands, Hani people created the world-famous terraced rice fields on the mountain slopes, and in agriculture they put into practice the ideas of respecting nature, protecting the ecology and living in harmony with nature.

By channeling water into the terraces from the mountain top where trees are flourishing, they created a circular agro-ecosystem with the four elements of forest, village, terrace and water system. In the eyes of tourists, the terraced fields are a beautiful sight, while in the hearts of Hani villagers, the terraces are a natural part of their homeland.

Lu Shixiong, aged over 50 this year, is sort of an agronomist now. With his brothers mostly working as migrant workers, he shouldered the duty of tilling over 10 Chinese acres of terraces of the family. Lu said that terraced rice fields are valuables left by ancestors, and they will be cultivated all the time. He’d pass down the Hani heritage with his own hands.

Since recognized as a world cultural heritage in 2013, the Hani terraces have played a bigger role in local economy, culture and tourism. Like a lighthouse, the rice fields guided young migrant workers home for jobs and business.

Luo Meifen, a 25-year-old Hani girl, used to work in the cities with her husband. Now the couple runs a home stay in their home village, gaining a relatively stable income. Out of her love for her hometown and the terraced fields, Luo learned farming skills from Lu Shixiong of the same village, growing to be a new apprentice in the historic terraces. In her spare time, Luo has daily visits to the fields, seeing the terraces as her own children. As time went by, she got sort of attached to the terraced fields emotionally. Luo had long dreamed of being a farmer again.

Ding Jinan, another Hani girl, quitted her urban job a few years ago and returned to the village. Working with her team now, Ding is presenting the world Hani folk customs and picturesque terraces through live webcasts and short videos.

Thanks to efforts by Ding Jinan and her fellow young people, the terraced paddy fields have increased their presence in the cyber space. As the terraces get known to more, local specialties have also found their way from the mountains to dinner tables outside. As a result, the villagers have got richer. Ding believes that Hani rice fields will have a better future.

By Liu Ranyang; Trans-editing by Wang Shixue