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.

Students harvesting in the fields

Learning how to work the fields from a local farmer

Preparing lunch in the temple kitchen

Heating up oil in the original temple kitchen wok

Cooking freshly dug potatoes

Traitional Bai dance performance by Diantou Village Ladie’s Troupe

Diantou village children watching the temple dance performance

Diantou Village women enjoying the dance performance

Students posing with children and dancers at the temple

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

Students successfully make their first baba bread

A lesson in rope making from a local village woman

A student skips the hemp rope he has learned to make

Weaving demonstration by Uncle Yang, the temple gatekeeper

Uncle Yang assembles a bamboo woven rice pot mat

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

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