The Yao, a non-Han minority moved from the Yang Tse basin centuries ago to south of China before migrating some seven to eight centuries ago to Northern Vietnam, Laos and Thailand in small groups. Some 10 centuries ago they also became Taoists and its hierarchy of numerous gods and saints, illustrated in their magnificent paintings, helped them survive as a society based on 12 clans with strong traditions, with no country of its own, and no greater administrative and social borders than the village. Their distinctive dress and exquisite silver jewellery also helped to define the various sub-groups to which they belonged. This book covers all aspects of Yao culture based on 12 years fieldwork and research in the region.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Understanding culture through objects,
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This review is from: Yao (River Books) (Paperback)
This book is remarkable. The author has lived in southeast Asia for 20 years, and he "lives" the material. The text demonstrates a keen understanding of values, flavors, and exigencies of Yao life. However, the life of this book is in the 600+ photographs, which capture every part of Yao culture. They are split among 3 categories: modern photographs of Yao life, vintage photographs of similar scenes, and photographs of every piece of material culture a Yao person would need in life. The captions put the photographs in context, so that the book can be used for quick reference as well as for sequential reading. The straight-forward system of organization (for example, by the various components of the female costume) gives it added value as an "identifier" of a given textile or other object in hand. This markedly increases its value to a collector. For readers unfamiliar with the group or observing them solely from a distance, it will create an urge to get on a plane and see Yao society up close. This is very possible, especially in northern Viet Nam, and the reader would be well advised to finish the book, pack it in the suitcase, and get on the plane.
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