Cultural learning for American students in Shaxi

In November, students from Boston University Shanghai Center attended a day of cultural activities at the Sheltered Mercy Nunnery (Pear Orchard Temple). The group stayed at the Li Family Courtyard in nearby Xiake Village, a favorite homestay accommodation option for student groups in Shaxi. With a two-day itinerary provided by the Ginkgo Society, the group spent time working in local fields and gathering vegetables that they would later cook in the Pear Orchard Temple’s new kitchen.

The group learned local bread making from a famous Shaxi baker, tried their hand at hemp rope making and basket weaving. They enjoyed a dance performance by the Diantou Village Ladies’ Dance Troupe, led by Mrs. Yang Yu Ju, who is also the head chef at the temple. Diantou Village Elders’ Council Chief Mr. Luo Jing Wen spoke to the students about how life has changed in the village over the past 10 years.

American students harvesting in the fields, Shaxi Yunnan China

Students harvesting in the fields

 

Learning how to work the fields from a local farmer

Learning how to work the fields from a local farmer

 

American students preparing lunch in the temple kitchen - Shaxi Yunnan China

Preparing lunch in the temple kitchen

 

American students cooking in the Shaxi Yunnan temple

Heating up oil in the original temple kitchen wok

 

Cooking freshly dug potatoes

Cooking freshly dug potatoes

 

Traitional Bai dance performance by Diantou Village Ladie's Troupe

Traitional Bai dance performance by Diantou Village Ladie’s Troupe

 

Children watching the temple dance performance - Shaxi Yunnan China

Diantou village children watching the temple dance performance

 

Village women enjoying the dance performance at Pear Orchard Temple, Shaxi Yunnan China

Diantou Village women enjoying the dance performance

 

Students in Shaxi Yunnan posing with children and dancers at the temple

Students posing with children and dancers at the temple

 

A lecture at the Shaxi temple on making baba, a traditional Bai style bread

A lecture at the temple on making baba, a traditional Bai style bread

 

Students in Shaxi successfully make their first baba bread - Yunnan China

Students successfully make their first baba bread

 

American students in Shaxi have a lesson in weaving from a local village woman

A lesson in rope making from a local village woman

 

A student in Shaxi skips the hemp rope he has learned to make - Yunnan China

A student skips the hemp rope he has learned to make

 

Weaving demonstration by Uncle Yang, the Shaxi temple gatekeeper, Yunnan China

Weaving demonstration by Uncle Yang, the temple gatekeeper

 

Uncle Yang assembles a bamboo woven rice pot mat at Pear Orchard Temple - Shaxi Yunnan China

Uncle Yang assembles a bamboo woven rice pot mat

 

 

Speech by Diantou Village Elder Chief Mr. Luo on changing village life in Shaxi

Speech by Diantou Village Elder Chief Mr. Luo on changing village life in Shaxi

 

Boston University students in Shaxi gather for a photo at the Pear Orchard Temple before heading back to the Li Family Courtyard

American students in Shaxi gather for a photo at the Pear Orchard Temple before heading back to the Li Family Courtyard in Xia Ke Village

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