For photographers anxious to free themselves from commonplace and boring subjects, China's ethnic minorities, with their unique customs, rustic appearances, colorful, varied clothing, and rugged, lofty mountains as a backdrop, hold a glamor that is difficult to express. Nevertheless, minority groups should not be seen as game for predatory foreign lenses rushing by for a quick shot. The photographer must make particular efforts to break down barriers, become familiar with the people, and demonstrate respect and a sense of equality.
With this in mind, Lin Tian-fu has devoted eight years to travel in mainland China's Southwest, the heartland of minorities. He visited Yunnan Province alone more than 50 times. "I want to live with them for a while, make friends, come to understand the way they think, experience their different customs and ways of life. Then only after a number of days will I begin to photograph their various emotional expressions." These are Lin Tian-fu's self-expectations. These photographs have emerged from this kind of careful approach. Can you sense that the Tibetans on the way to a celebration, the old Yi lady, the little Hmong miss... are as close and natural as your neighbor next door?
A Personal History of Lin Tian-fu
1960: Born in Taipei County
1980: Graduated from Fuhsing School of Fine Arts
1987: Started photography expeditions in mainland China
1990: Won Grand Prize from the Independence Evening Post for a news photo story; won the Government Information Office's "Gold Tripod Award" for best magazine photography
1992: Won Grand Prize at the ROC international photographic art contest "Image and Time"
[Picture Caption]
p.117
Tibetans, Zhongdian County, Yunnan
In Zhongdian, Yunnan, the Tibetans celebrate the arrival of summer in the fifth month of the lunar calendar. But unlike the Han Chinese, they do not eat tsungtzu or race dragon boats. Instead, they race horses to amuse themselves. On that day the Tibetans in this area all climb aboard the main local means of transportation--"Liberation" cargo trucks -- to travel en masse to the celebration.
p.118
Derung ladies, Derung River, Gongshan County, Yunnan
Places as remote as the Derung lands are extremely rare in the modern world. Squeezed between two precipitous peaks, the Derung River allows for only two modes of crossing--treading a bridge of rattan and cable, or sliding along a rope.
p.119
Tujia people, Badong County, Hubei
The pannier is an inextricable part of the Tujia lifestyle. Whether buying vegetables, transporting goods, carting children, or even taking a sick person to the doctor, the pannier is an indispensable tool.
p.120
Yi people, Jinyang County, Sichuan
"Chargen" are the typical clothing of the Yi in the Liangshan area. They serve a large number of purposes, such as protection from cold and rain, and they work especially well as blankets during the night.
p.121
Dai ladies, Xinping County, Yunnan
Commonly called the "colorful-belted Dai," the Daiya are a distant branch of the Dai, descendants of aristocrats. In old times, their clothing was extremely ornate and colorful. To dress in full attire can take as long as one or two hours.
p.122
Lisu people, Liuku, Yunnan
The spring festival is the Lisu people's once-a-year bathing ceremony. At the appointed time, whole families of Lisu in the Nujiang area, little children and all, happily travel long distances, rushing off to the hotsprings north of Liuku City for a joyful gathering.
p.123
Hmong people, Leishan County, Guizhou
During every festival, the young Hmong girls dress in beautiful attire, often the only form of wealth their families possess. These costumes (made partly of silver) can weigh as much as 10 kilograms. When the young women leave their houses, their mothers carry the costumes on shoulder poles to the edge of town, where they put them on and proceed to the celebration.
p.124
Hani lady, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan
The Akha, distantly related to the Hani, live principally in Xishuangbanna. Many of their communities still retain ancient weaving traditions. To complete one piece of clothing may require several months of work.
p.125
A "wind and rain" bridge of the Dong people, Sanjiang County, Guangxi
Shielding out the inclement forces of nature and providing a rest for the weary traveler, the "wind and rain" bridge of the Dong people is a classic of minority a rchitecture. Sanjiang County is where a great many of these bridges can be found. The picture shows the "Blessed Wind and Rain Bridge" in Pingliu Village, Dudong Township, Sanjiang County.
(photos and text by Lin Tian-fu/tr. by Brent Heinrich)
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