Day#1: Tribes, Pride, over-Simplified?

Monday, 2016, 4 January.

What left the deepest impression on me for the day would be the visit to the Hill Tribe Village. Despite being relatively commercialized, the whole setting still allowed us to have a sneak peek of the distinctive culture and lifestyle led by members of the various tribes – an alternative form of civilization.

Particularly, there are two reflective points I would like to share：

1） Commercialization of the village - an accurate representation?

As we walked through the village, it is evident that the village was heavily directed towards profit generation with an abundance of stalls mended by members in tribal wear littered throughout the streets selling souvenirs. And unsurprisingly, the merchandise sold were rather homogeneous. In addition, we also get to witness the performances put up by the ‘Akha’ and the ‘Yao’ tribe which I assume, was supposedly intended to let us gain a deeper insight of their cultural practices, however half-hearted their attempts might be. After their performance, tips were very much preferred.

While I do understand the economic imperatives for the Hill Tribe Village, such superficial displays only allow us to get a brief glimpse of what life is like for the various hill tribes on the surface. I do not think that it is an accurate representation of the various hill tribes – the vibrancy of life was conspicuously absent. This was especially so for the tribal performances – which made my heart lurch for them. Tribes are known for their sense of unity. Tribal songs and dance are supposedly an expression of dignity and delight, a display of tribal pride. However, little to none was displayed during both performances. It was not that the performances were dull, but that they were just void of any emotional attachment. This should come as something unsurprising though, as there is hardly any reason for celebratory dances or songs when it is replicated day after day just to entertain the hordes of tourists passing through.

2） Life without technology - a curse or blessing?

From a particular interview conducted with an elderly lady from the ‘Yao’ tribe, I gathered that there isn’t any communication nor electronic devices inside the village. The most advanced device I saw during the short span of time during the visit was walkie-talkies held by the “tribe keepers”. As such, the tribe members are quite behind in time in terms of technology. This might not necessarily be a bad thing as the people just go about life living in harmony with nature. The beginning of the day is marked by the rise of the sun and the end, signalled by the rise of the moon. Enviously, such straightforward practices allows for greater appreciation of the simple pleasures in life.

Be that as it may, technology undeniably provides us with an effective and crucial platform for the dissemination of news and access to a vast pool information. When asked, the ‘Yao’ women mentioned that she knew nothing of what is happening outside of the village. This is further reaffirmed by a subsequent interview with a young lady from the long neck tribe who was too, unaware of any White Temple incidents nor the reason for the sudden influx of Chinese tourists.

The idea of technology represented as a double-edged sword is nothing new. Being too reliant on technology detaches us from nature but correspondingly, the same technology connects us to the world. It is an invaluable tool for the nurturing of global citizens. The Hill Tribe Village is a relatively peaceful place, a little bubble of tranquillity in a country filled with hustle and bustle. Generation after generation of members are brought up to live in harmony with nature and disconnected with the outside world.

To be honest, even though I find such a way of life simple, it is meaningless as well.