Chinese Village Traditions

  China

Yulin

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: 2008: May 1 - May 10, Jul 15 - Jul 24, Jul 26 - Aug 4, Aug 6 - Aug 15

Description: Research Mission
Document the history, architecture, and folklore of a traditional Chinese village before the villagers are relocated to improve their current living conditions.

Situation Report
Dang Jia Shan Village, Shaanxi Province, China -- Dang Jia Shan, or the village of the Dangs, is an old mountain village of 30 households in the northern Shaanxi province of China. China is implementing a program of aiding impoverished areas, and is relocating the villagers of Dang Jia Shan to a settlement near a highway and a river in order to improve their quality of life. The villagers currently live in traditional cave dwellings, but will be moved to above-ground houses built in their new village. Dr. Anrong Dang, Dr. Jin Feng, Jiang Lu, and Yanfeng Liu want to document this generations-old traditional settlement, including its geography, architecture, interiors, and folk traditions, before the villagers are relocated. The findings of this study may have an impact on the future relocation policies as well as ways of cultural conservation.

Meals and Accommodations
You will be living in a typical cave dwelling with a host family, so be prepared to immerse yourself in the culture. The facilities are basic, with pit toilets and water available for drinking and hand washing, and some electricity. A bathhouse is located in the nearest town, about 5 km from the village, for the occasional bath or shower. Food will be prepared for each team by a host family, and will feature mainly simple vegetarian fare, as well as steamed breads and dumplings.

Highlights: On the Expedition
Depending on which team you join, your research efforts will either be focused on the household furniture and décor, the village oral tradition, or the relations between human settlement, lifestyle, and public health. You will help interview villagers through interpreters, and record, videotape, and photograph their every-day activities. You will measure household furniture pieces and decorative elements and take notes about local legends and stories. You will also help to collect public health data in the village. In this small village, you will be welcomed and immersed in the local culture, getting to know Chinese village life in a way few outsiders ever experience. On your days off, field trips to neighboring towns are planned.

Qualifications: Earthwatch volunteers are enthusiastic to learn about the research topic and are willing to contribute their time and energy to support leading scientists in conducting field research. Volunteers will be trained upon arrival at the research site. Teams have a minimum age of 18, unless accompanied by parent or legal guardian, in which case the minimum age is 16.

Cost in US$: 3,146

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Earthwatch expeditions appeal to a variety of people: educators gain new knowledge and develop exciting lesson plans; students explore career options and build research skills; writers, photographers and artists contribute their skills and share their experiences through a variety of media; businessmen and women, doctors and nurses, engineers, homemakers, retirees . . . people from all walks of life choose to volunteer on research expeditions each year. Volunteers are actively engaged on a daily basis with the research project, develop global perspectives, and explore new cultures and environments.

Age Range: 18 - 90

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to China Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 6 - 12

Scholarships are Available. - Fellowships may be available, mainly for high-school students and educators. Visit our website for more information.

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Earthwatch Institute's Mission Statement: Earthwatch Institute engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Through a unique method of funding, the volunteers Share of Cost contributes directly to the support of the research projects. Earthwatch enables scientists to pursue research goals and members of the public to gain hands-on experience with science. Each year, over 4,000 people from 46 countries directly contribute to scientific research by working alongside scientists, local community members and other volunteers. Earthwatch volunteers can track sea turtles; join archaeological digs; observe animal behavior; collect rare plants, study dolphin behavior and more. Hundreds of expedition teams can use your help in 48 countries and 16 U.S. states this year.

Year Founded: 1971