John Novis

Hani New Year Rice Festival

Hani New Year Rice Festival Yunnan China 2004


Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world. For the Hani people rice is more than just food, it is the very basis of their culture, however, it's a way of life that could be under threat as the spectre of genetic engineering (GE) creeps up on the planet's most important food crop.

Rice is the staple diet for most Chinese people and it is the source of livelihood for more than 100 million farmers, it is cultivated in traditional paddy fields such as these in the Yunnan Province. 

Hani women are weeding together a paddy terrace, Yunnan Province, China. Rice embraces all aspects of life for Hani people. In the Hani culture, village neighbours and families always share the work necessary to grow rice. Weeding a terrace together shows a strong cohesion within the community.

Misty view of the world famous rice terraces of 'Tigers Mouth', showing traditional cultivation and irrigation practises,Xin Jie, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

View overlooking farmers homes and rice fields during the three day October rice festival. Jiayan, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

A Hani farmer is holding his traditional rice seeds in his hand, Yunnan Province, China.

Hani dancers at the Hani Rice October Festival. Jaiyin, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Local farmers at the local seed fair in Mitian village. Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Local rice farmers at the seed fair in Mitian village. Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Children and elders in Lao Bo Village in Yunnan Province, China.

Hani rice farmer with large traditional tobacco smoking pipe outside his home at Mitian village during the three day October rice festival. Jiayan, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Local rice farmer inspects the seeds on display at the seed fair in Mitian village. Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Hani rice farmers in the street outside their homes at Mitian village during the three day October rice festival. Jiayan, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Hani rice farmers in their home at Mitian village during the three day October rice festival. Jiayan, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

A Hani farmer is smoking locally grown tobacco using an old Bamboo Water Pipe, in Yunnan Province, China.

Hani farmers busy with food preparations for street festivities as part of the Hani Rice October Festival. Jaiyin, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Hani farmers busy cooking pork in preparation for street festivities as part of the Hani Rice October Festival. Jaiyin, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Hani farmers prepare for street festivities as part of the Hani Rice October Festival. Jaiyin, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Hani farmers prepare for street festivities as part of the Hani Rice October Festival. Jaiyin, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Woman in traditional dress fastens small child to his father's back during preparations for street festivities as part of the Hani Rice October Festival. Jaiyin, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Rice farmer carries tray of food prepared for the festivities at the three day October rice festival in the village of Mitian. Jiayan, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Local people from the Hani rice farming community with trays of food prepared for the festivities at the three day October rice festival in the village of Mitian. Jiayan, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Display of food prepared for the festivities at the October rice festival in the village of Mitian. Jiayan, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Local woman from the Hani rice farming community carries food through the street prepared for the festivities at the three day October rice festival in the village of Mitian. Jiayan, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Hani rice farmers of Lao Bo Village, Jia Yin County, using traditional instruments, are playing Hani rice songs to wish for a good harvest, Yunnan Province, China.

Swinging Hani women at the June Festival in Lo Ma Basin Village, Yunnan Province, China, a festival, which in Hani language is called "Ku Zha Zha". The legend behind this festival says that when the Hani ancestors were digging the soil to grow rice, the small animals living in the soil got hurt. So they complained about that to their god who punished the Hani people by sending them on very high swings to scare them. The small animals then forgave the Hani people. Since that time, every year in June, Hani people have this ceremony to beg for a good rice harvest.

Swinging Hani women at the June Festival in Lo Ma Basin Village, Yunnan Province, China, a festival, which in Hani language is called "Ku Zha Zha". The legend behind this festival says that when the Hani ancestors were digging the soil to grow rice, the small animals living in the soil got hurt. So they complained about that to their god who punished the Hani people by sending them on very high swings to scare them. The small animals then forgave the Hani people. Since that time, every year in June, Hani people have this ceremony to beg for a good rice harvest.

Swinging Hani women at the June Festival in Lo Ma Basin Village, Yunnan Province, China, a festival, which in Hani language is called "Ku Zha Zha". The legend behind this festival says that when the Hani ancestors were digging the soil to grow rice, the small animals living in the soil got hurt. So they complained about that to their god who punished the Hani people by sending them on very high swings to scare them. The small animals then forgave the Hani people. Since that time, every year in June, Hani people have this ceremony to beg for a good rice harvest.

Swinging Hani women at the June Festival in Lo Ma Basin Village, Yunnan Province, China, a festival, which in Hani language is called "Ku Zha Zha". The legend behind this festival says that when the Hani ancestors were digging the soil to grow rice, the small animals living in the soil got hurt. So they complained about that to their god who punished the Hani people by sending them on very high swings to scare them. The small animals then forgave the Hani people. Since that time, every year in June, Hani people have this ceremony to beg for a good rice harvest.

Hani dancers grouped together at the opening of the Hani Rice October Festival. Jaiyin, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Thousands of Chinese fire crackers in a box ready for the festivities at the October rice festival in the village of Mitian. Jiayan, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Man holds exploding Chinese fireworks during the festivities at the October rice festival in the village of Mitian. Jiayan, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Group photo of local people some in traditional customs taken at a seminar and workshop held for the rice farmers of Laowon village.Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Hani people enjoy feasting and dancing in the street at the Hani Rice October Festival. Jaiyin, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Hani people enjoy feasting and dancing in the street at the Hani Rice October Festival. Jaiyin, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Hani people enjoy feasting in the street at the Hani Rice October Festival. Jaiyin, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Hani people enjoy feasting and dancing in the street at the Hani Rice October Festival. Jaiyin, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Hani people enjoy feasting and dancing in the street at the Hani Rice October Festival. Jaiyin, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Hani people enjoy feasting and dancing in the street at the Hani Rice October Festival. Jaiyin, Honghe, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

Misty view of the world famous rice terraces of 'Tigers Mouth', showing traditional cultivation and irrigation practises,Xin Jie, Yunnan, China. Greenpeace visits rice farmers as part of the 8 day bus tour organised by Greenpeace to highlight the rice culture and diversity in the farming communities of Yunnan province, China. Yunnan is the homeland of rice to the Chinese nation and known as the source of rice culture to the whole world.

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