Life of Wa people getting better

Editor’s Note: In Yunnan, nine ethnic groups—the Derung, De’ang, Jino, Nu, Bulang, Jingpo, Lisu, Lahu and Wa—have directly moved from primitive or slave societies into modern societies. In the battle against poverty, Yunnan focuses on the areas inhabited by these ethnic groups and other minorities. The province has taken unusual, targeted measures and formulated special poverty alleviation plans in recent years. This issue, we continue publishing a report on how these ethnic groups have shaken off poverty.

Ximeng, a county of Pu'er in South-western China's Yunnan province, is located on the China-Myanmar border. Its county seat, which is inhabited by Wa people, features many Wa-styled buildings. However, visitors to this small city are even more impressed by a slogan that reads "Wa tribes in Ximeng—childhood of human beings".

 “When New China was founded, the Wa people were still in the late primitive society, just like the childhood of human beings,” said Yang Yu, party secretary of Ximeng. Today, the Wa people who used to farm by the slash and burn method have shaken off poverty. They have moved from the childhood of human beings to a modern civilization.

Yandong, 44, is a farmer of Banzhe village in Ximeng's Mengka town. In the past, he always dreamt of living in a bright house that could provide a shelter from wind and rain. His dream came true in 2015 thanks to a project of poverty alleviation through relocation. Now, the three generations of his family live in a new two-story house of more than 200 square meters.

 “In 2012, about 40 percent of the villagers in Ximeng lived in thatched cottages,” said Yang Yu. In 2015, Ximeng began to renovate dilapidated cottages and implement a project of poverty alleviation through relocation, moving 15,000 households into strong and beautiful houses.

Shuila, 52, has learned to use the smart phone of late. "I watch videos of raising cattle and bees," he said. He participated in a training course organized by the county not long ago. The participants not only did field studies but also set up a WeChat group to share the planting and breeding skills.

The Wa people used to have a poor industrial base. They could not even provide for themselves. In recent years, based on the local conditions, the county introduced Yunling cattle, Chinese bees and other projects. These projects attracted some industry-leading companies, and many industries have begun to take shape," said Zheng Qingjiang, deputy party secretary of Ximeng.

Shuila had attended the training course reluctantly. He is an intelligent man. He raises cattle and bees. He can even make wooden drums, sing and dance. "I don't need anyone to teach me how to raise cattle and bees," he said to a town official.

"I know you now raise 30 beehives, but you will be able to keep 200 or 300 beehives after the training," the official said.

"Your cattle are ready for sale in more than three years, but the Yunling cattle grow faster, produce better beef, and bring in more money," the official added.

Shuila was finally convinced and went to the training, which proved to be good.

Compared with Shuila, young Wa people are more ready to embrace new things. Yanping, 31, is a farmer of Banmu village in Mengsuo Township. In the training, he learned to operate agricultural machines. "Now I can do 20 persons' work with the machine," he said. He plans to raise several heads of Yunling cattle, and he believes that life will get better.

 

Life of Wa people getting better

Editors Note: In Yunnan, nine ethnic groupsthe Derung, Deang, Jino, Nu, Bulang, Jingpo, Lisu, Lahu and Wahave directly moved from primitive or slave societies into modern societies. In the battle against poverty, Yunnan focuses on the areas inhabited by these ethnic groups and other minorities. The province has taken unusual, targeted measures and formulated special poverty alleviation plans in recent years. This issue, we continue publishing a report on how these ethnic groups have shaken off poverty. Ximeng, a county of Puer in South-western Chinas Yunnan province, is located on the China-Myanmar border. Its county seat, which is inhabited by Wa people, features many Wa-styled buildings. However, visitors to this small city are even more impressed by a slogan that reads Wa tribes in Ximengchildhood of human beings. When New China was founded, the Wa people were still in the late primitive society, just like the childhood of human beings, said Yang Yu, party secretary of Ximeng. Today, the Wa people who used to farm by the slash and burn method have shaken off poverty. They have moved from the childhood of human beings to a modern civilization. Yandong, 44, is a farmer of Banzhe village in Ximengs Mengka town. In the past, he always dreamt of living in a bright house that could provide a shelter from wind and rain. His dream came true in 2015 thanks to a project of poverty alleviation through relocation. Now, the three generations of his family live in a new two-story house of more than 200 square meters. In 2012, about 40 percent of the villagers in Ximeng lived in thatched cottages, said Yang Yu. In 2015, Ximeng began to renovate dilapidated cottages and implement a project of poverty alleviation through relocation, moving 15,000 households into strong and beautiful houses. Shuila, 52, has learned to use the smart phone of late. I watch videos of raising cattle and bees, he said. He participated in a training course organized by the county not long ago. The participants not only did field studies but also set up a WeChat group to share the planting and breeding skills. The Wa people used to have a poor industrial base. They could not even provide for themselves. In recent years, based on the local conditions, the county introduced Yunling cattle, Chinese bees and other projects. These projects attracted some industry-leading companies, and many industries have begun to take shape, said Zheng Qingjiang, deputy party secretary of Ximeng. Shuila had attended the training course reluctantly. He is an intelligent man. He raises cattle and bees. He can even make wooden drums, sing and dance. I dont need anyone to teach me how to raise cattle and bees, he said to a town official. I know you now raise 30 beehives, but you will be able to keep 200 or 300 beehives after the training, the official said. Your cattle are ready for sale in more than three years, but the Yunling cattle grow faster, produce better beef, and bring in more money, the official added. Shuila was finally convinced and went to the training, which proved to be good. Compared with Shuila, young Wa people are more ready to embrace new things. Yanping, 31, is a farmer of Banmu village in Mengsuo Township. In the training, he learned to operate agricultural machines. Now I can do 20 persons work with the machine, he said. He plans to raise several heads of Yunling cattle, and he believes that life will get better.