A Lisu man crosses the Nujiang near Maji, Yunnan. This town is the site of one of the proposed dams on the Nujiang.
In Qiunatong Village, Yunnan. This Nu village made up of about 200 people is one of the last stops along the road leading to Tibet. Almost all of the people are practicing Catholics.
In Qiunatong Village, Yunnan. This Nu village made up of about 200 people is the last stop along the road leading to Tibet. Two Nu boys are enjoying themselves on along the road out of Qiu Natong.
A Nu girl in Qiunatong sits by the fire as New Year's supper cooks.
A Nu boy walking along the road towards Bingzhongluo. Due to the efforts of missionaries in the 19th and early 20th century, the region has had a strong belief in Christianity
On the eve of Chinese New Year the Nu villagers of Qiunatong gather for a Catholic service. Christianity was introduced to this region by European missionaries more than a century ago.
On the eve of Chinese New Year the Nu villagers of Qiunatong gather for a Catholic service. Christianity was introduced to this region by European missionaries more than a century ago.
In Qiunatong Village, Yunnan. New Years celebration.
A Nu household in Qiunatong hosts a New Year party where the men dance and drink local spirits.
In February many of the fields around Bingzhongluo are planted with rape seed that functions as an interim crop and provides forage for livestock.
A Tibetan man brings pine needles to his house in Wuli. Pine needles are used on buildings, sacred sites and houses as a talismans and decoration
The old bridge to Wuli crosses the Nujiang River.
The path to Wuli Village is cut into the Nujiang's canyon walls
Tibetans celebrate New Year in Dimaluo, Yunnan. The Tibetans here are all Catholic. This small town sits on a tributary to the Nujiang. Though the Nujiang has yet to be dammed the Dimaluo River is dammed at this site. The villagers I spoke with were not supportive of the dam and its effects on their land.
Tibetans use many forms of plants in their rituals including juniper, willow and gardenias. Though the village is catholic there is a concerted effort not to lose their Tibetan heritage. Since their village is outside of Tibet, schools do not teach Tibetan language or culture.
In the Tibetan village of Dimaluo children play near a tributary to the Nu. Just beyond this village sits a newly constructed dam.
One of the pack horses on its way to Baihanluo. This Tibetan village sits on top of a mountain and like Dimaluo is a Catholic.
Families on their way home to Baihanluo village after celebrating Spring Festival in nearby village. This village sits on top of a mountain and is Catholic Tibetan. This pack train is bringing supplies up and some are making annual New Year visits.
At Baihanluo. This village sits on top of a mountain and like Dimaluo is a Catholic. This pack train is bringing supplies up and some are making New Years visits.
An elder from the Tibetan village of Baihanluo. This mountain-side village can only be reached by foot or horse. Despite its remote location, it’s graced by a century-old church.
Ritual bathing in hot springs is a part of the Lisu New Years tradition. These public springs will be deluged if the dam projects are completed. During Spring Festival camps are built near the pools which makes for a festival atmosphere.
Ritual bathing in hot springs is a part of the Lisu New Years tradition. These public pools will be deluged if the dam projects are completed. During Spring Festival camps are built near the pools which makes for a festival atmosphere.
A bathroom with a view over what will become the Maji dam site on the Nujiang river.
This site just north of Liuku is in the catchment of what might be another large dam along the river. These two women are from the only relocated village. When the dams were still being built there village was relocated off the river to new town away from their fields.
An elder sits in a temple in Beipang cun, Yunnan
A buddhist temple in Beipangcun, Yunnan
A buddhist temple in Beipangcun, Yunnan
Fields near Beipang cun, Yunnan
