"As I’ve Grown Older, Life Has Become Much Better"
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This article comes from Humans of China (WeChat ID: humans-of-china), which aims to document and tell the stories of the many varied people of this vast country, one individual at a time. This time, Hack interviews a woman from Yunnan.
In 1971, at the age of 18, I was drafted by the local government to help build roads in the mountains of Yunnan. It was pretty far from my hometown and I was driven there in an old army truck. I was given a pickax, a hammer, and a tent to live in. Both women and men worked together and because of this, I made some good friends. We all supported one another and when someone was tired or finding it hard, then we’d let them rest and others would work a little harder. It was very hard work but working together made it easier.
"I leave the house I'll wear either my pink or red [hat], signifying good luck"
I was living and working in a very poor place, at times it was hard to find enough food for us to eat. I was there for three years and not once did I have the chance to visit home. Finally, in 1974 at the age of 21, I returned home to an arranged marriage. My parents had found a man for me, back then we were only allowed to marry within our minority. I didn't have the chance to meet him until the day we married.
After returning home, I didn't find a job but instead worked with my husband raising yaks and cows, making cloth and clothes and looking after our two children.advertisement
Although we were poor and life wasn't easy, we always looked up to the god-like figure in our life, Chairman Mao. My family and I still very much love him, even though he has been dead for quite some time now. When he died, we were all so sad and I remember I cried an awful lot. I still keep Chairman Mao’s portrait on the wall of my house along with other Chinese leaders as well as pin badges with his face on, which I sometimes wear.
"I still keep Chairman Mao’s portrait on the wall"
As well as Chairman Mao, I also believe in Buddhism. As I’ve grown older, life has become much better and I have had the chance to visit Tibet, where Buddhism is the dominant religion. I’ve been three times and I believe every Tibetan must go to Tibet at least once in their lifetime. Unfortunately, my parents didn't get the chance to go as they had no money and no way of getting there, making it impossible to visit.
On my way to Tibet, I saw many people walking there. They take three steps forward and then lay down on the road to pray. We would stop and talk to them and give them food and drink. I imagine it's very tough doing what they do. I also often go to the temple to pray. I take my beads and walk around the temple an odd number of times. Each day at home, before I sleep, I will visit the small temple we have attached to the side of our house to pray and leave some food and there we also have a statue of Chairman Mao."While my husband is out looking after our yaks, I can stay at home ... and snort tobacco"
Now I am much happier. While my husband is out looking after our yaks and my daughter is out collecting mushrooms, I can stay at home and make cheese and bread, snort tobacco, and look after my granddaughter. I’m much happier now.
READ: "I Was Told That If My Legs Weren’t Amputated Then I Would Die"
Photos: Cameron Hack
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