An Yi Village through a Child’s Lens | Caixin Media
Various photographers—Caixin
Liangshan, a region in Sichuan Province populated by members of the Yi ethnic minority, is often depicted in Chinese media as poor and underdeveloped. We’ve previously recommended a photo story about a group of migrant workers from Liangshan working in the coastal city of Shenzhen. Photographer Jiao Dongzi and other volunteers gave cameras to children in Liangshan and taught them photography courses, encouraging them to photograph their lives. The images provide a lively, laughter-filled view into childhood in a barren, mountainous environment. The image above is captioned with a quote from the photographer: “My family’s apple tree blossomed during lunchtime. I’m happy. My little brother is happy. My parents are happy. My older brother is happy.” The photos also show, perhaps unsurprisingly, an absence of parents, most of whom have left for work in the city. One of the child photographers wrote: “I play with my friends every day, but sometimes I’m sad because Dad is not at home. Mom has to chop firewood by herself. I’m still too weak.”
Caption information
Liangshan, a region in Sichuan Province populated by members of the Yi ethnic minority, is often depicted in Chinese media as poor and underdeveloped. We’ve previously recommended a photo story about a group of migrant workers from Liangshan working in the coastal city of Shenzhen. Photographer Jiao Dongzi and other volunteers gave cameras to children in Liangshan and taught them photography courses, encouraging them to photograph their lives. The images provide a lively, laughter-filled view into childhood in a barren, mountainous environment. The image above is captioned with a quote from the photographer: “My family’s apple tree blossomed during lunchtime. I’m happy. My little brother is happy. My parents are happy. My older brother is happy.” The photos also show, perhaps unsurprisingly, an absence of parents, most of whom have left for work in the city. One of the child photographers wrote: “I play with my friends every day, but sometimes I’m sad because Dad is not at home. Mom has to chop firewood by herself. I’m still too weak.”