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Hey a Roosevelt was here in Lijiang.

I did a little post earlier on Quentin Roosevelt II (29 years, 47 days; November 4, 1919-December 21, 1948), and here’s a little reminder if you’re in the New York area to get an introduction of the exclusive Dongba, half a ways around the World from the home of the Dongba : Lijiang.

 (above) Photo taken by Q. Roosevelt II in 1939, early 1940s. via The Library of Congress.

See the original article written by Mr Roosevelt “Quentin Roosevelt – In the Land of the Devil Priests pg196-209” (pdf).

New York’s the Observer Maika Pollack explores the rare Dongba history by the first exhibit of the Naxi outside of China via the Quentin Roosevelt collection, according to Pollack, describing the heaven to hell scrolls of the Dongba and the history of Q. Roosevelt.

But continue reading to the Cindy Ho comment, co-curator of the exhibit, in which corrects mislead information from Pollack, defying the journalist regarding “leaving China was tricky” and “Quentin Roosevelt’s loot” and “Roosevelt’s Collection is the most complete”.

Exhibit ends September 19th 2011 at Rubin Museum of Art…
… or just visit Lijiang, as much of Joseph Rock’s collections are located in Lijiang.  The modern dtomba (Dongba) will always pale in comparison to the true mystique of the Dongba – pre-industrial revolution… as with much of the world’s artifacts.
Experience the past.

Darwin
Pullman Lijiang Resort & Spa

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If you are looking for a place to go for culture, see the Pumi.

The Pumi, Chinese: 普米族, are an ethnic minority group of approximately 30000 people largely spread across northwest Yunnan, west of Lijiang and enroute towards Lugu Lake where the Mosuo 摩梭族 reside.  A colleague of Pullman Lijiang is of Pumi origin, and say that a difference between Mosuo and Pumi are that the Mosuo put a lot more flowerly items in their hair. The woman on the far right of the above photo looks a little Naxi 纳西族, but is the dress of an honoured woman.

Lanping is approx 110 km away while Ninglang is about 85 km away, the two main areas of existence. Mind you, the roads leading to the Pumi twist and wind and up and down through many hills and villages. It will not be a ‘clean’ straight drive out there, but will take some time.

The article from People Daily gives a detailed description of the Pumi from their nomadic origins away from the Tibetan plateau to the settlement in the southern, field rich valleys of Yunnan and pre-/post-1949. Something to learn about the people of this small world.

 

Cheers,

Darwin
Pullman Lijiang Resort & Spa