Dancing with Strangers

We all have preconceived ideas about China, it's people, and what life is like there. I'm not claiming to be an expert but I hope to provide you an insight to what I saw in the small communities around Lugu Lake located in the province of Yunnan.

After a long mountainous drive we arrived at a lake with wooden boats powered by humans ferrying visitors from the shore to an island. We hopped on these boats and began our journey across the lake. The water was shockingly deep blue and cold as I dipped my hand in. We chatted with each other as the wind blew across the lake and we finally docked at the island.

Lugu Lake

The sun was warm as we hiked to the top of the island where we found a Buddhist temple. Buddhism is the most popular religion in China and this temple was beautifully colored with bright greens, blues, and reds. I was surprised by the amount of people who were going out to this island temple since it was a random day in January but maybe this was the closest one to communities around Lugu Lake.

At the top near the temple there was a square where you could purchase a small wooden tag and write your hopes and wishes. They were then tied to wooden posts and every time the wind blew they all clacked together symbolizing the gods hearing your thoughts. I paused in this place and even though I couldn't read the writing I felt their importance. Understanding how personal many of these wishes were I took my time to soak in a reflection moment in the sun. I thought of how lucky I was to be able to travel to China, to attend college, to do many of the things that I see as normal which are nearly unattainable to others.

Hopes and Dreams and Wishes

We all think of China, and Asia more broadly, as a very paternalistic culture where men are the doers and thinkers in society. It was further cemented in our minds with the implementation of something known colloquially as the "One Child Policy" where female infants were put up for adoption or abandoned or killed until a boy was born. This preference of boys is generally still the case however we got to talk to and visit the home of a matrilineal maternal minority culture. The Mosou people have lived around Lugu Lake for centuries and we were incredibly lucky to be the first Americans that were ever taken into this families' home.

As the Uncle of the family took his time to tell us about his culture and answer our questions I couldn't help but feel immense gratitude for his openness and his patience as he welcomed us into his families' home. He explained their customs, how their households run, and joked with us that their way was better than ours to which the women agreed because we were being treated with the utmost respect. We participated in his culture by sitting with the women near the fire and on specific benches with cushions while the men were at different tables and had to take turns serving us. It was incredible to not only talk about and see a different culture but also be allowed to experience it.

Later that night we attended a traditional dance for the Mosou people where the younger generations can meet one another and find their lovers. Around a bonfire they split into men and women and began circling to certain music and slowly would transition through dances and partners. In the end we got the opportunity to go down to the floor and dance with them. I love to dance so it was fun for me to learn a new dance and be able to come into community with them even though we didn't speak the same language.

Buddhist site

Cultural humility is extremely important when traveling as you are the guest in every scenario. Lugu Lake was an obvious place where I was there as a curious visitor but even going to another English speaking country is an opportunity to learn.

Adventurers, experience new people and customs every where you go because it will only make you more empathetic and understanding.

Open your atlas, bring your humility, and discover someone new.