ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This book is the result of three periods of field research in Liangshan Prefecture and Panzhihua City, Sichuan, undertaken in collaboration with local research institutes in those areas, as well as with provincial institutions in Chengdu. Everywhere I went, people helped out, usually enthusiastically.

Pride of place here, however, goes to my own family, because they helped out wherever I went, by being so supportive in letters and phone calls, by sending little gifts, by sitting through endless slide shows and stories, and by being there in my absence and in my presence. My most heartfelt thanks to Barbara, Cyd, and Deb.

In specific overseas places, I start with the late Tong Enzheng, who introduced me to Sichuan University and to Panzhihua in 1987, and who inspired me with his analytical brilliance, his political acumen, and his humanistic optimism. I only wish he could have been around to read the book, and can only hope, in his memory, that its scholarship comes somewhere close to the standard he would have expected of me.

Then there were the leaders of the provincial institutions who sponsored the work. At Sichuan University in 1988, these included Vice-President Wei Yingtao, Research Office Director Wu Jialun and Associate Director Zhou Jian, and Sociology Group Head Professor Yuan Yayu. At Sichuan Provincial Nationalities Research Institute, there were the successive directors Li Shaoming, Zhou Xiyin, and Wu Jingzhong (Luovu Laho). All of these leaders cooperated in a spirit of mutual respect and reciprocal learning, and provided intellectual as well as practical assistance in getting the work done.

There were also the local leaders—in Panzhihua in 1988, Party Secretary Han Guobin, Vice-Secretaries Zhang Boxi and Zhao Shihua; Vice Mayors Tan Huizhang and Li Zhixia; Cultural Bureau Chief and bridge partner Xiang Dexin; City Government Secretary General Tian Ruyi; and City Nationalities Commission Chair Li Chaoshen. At a time when taking on a high-profile foreign researcher was still something of a risk, these men opened many doors and were not even afraid to have a presumptuous foreigner criticize some of their policies.

In Xichang in 1993 and 1994, there was Prefectural Minority Affairs Commission Chair and Nationalities Research Institute Head Qubi Shimei, along with Vice-Head Jin Junpei and Secretary Wang Wenzhi. In Yanyuan there was the indefatigable Party Secretary Yang Zipuo (Atu Nzypuo), the modest but unbelievably knowledgeable Language Committee Head Hu Jin’ao (Luoho Tuha), and that most kindly host, Animal Husbandry Bureau Head Ma Wei’er (Mgebbu Vihly), as well as the young Vice Magistrate La Mingqing. All of them seemed to sense that, despite the gaps in our education, culture, and political ideology, we could work together, and they provided all kinds of encouragement and support.

“In the field,” township and village cadres tolerated, argued, facilitated, and toasted the foreigner and the other researchers. I do not even remember all their names, but I would like to single out a few whose cooperation was especially enthusiastic. These include Party Secretary Na Chaopei in Yishala, Township head Li Guojiang in Renhe, and Village Head Hu in Zhuangshang in 1988; Township Clerk Ma Axi (Mgebbu Asi) in Baiwu, Party Secretary Xiong in Puwei, and Township Head Yang in Malong in 1993; and Team Leader Wang Kaifu in Manshuiwan, Party Secretary Yang Ziha and Chief Judge Shama in Mishi, Party Secretary Ji and Women’s Federation Chief Yang in Guabie, and Township Head Hu Mingfa, Township Clerk Hu Yaoming, and village Party Secretary Zhou in Futian in 1994.

As important as the local leaders were the ordinary citizens who went out of their way to explain and help. There have been many of these, but I would like to single out Na Maozeng in Yishala; Lama Nyite in Gaoping; Hu Guanghui in Zhuangshang; Mgebbu Ashy, Lama Muga, Dong Zhengde, and the Xu family, especially our cook Xu Bingwen, in Baiwu; Ma Yun in Ninglang; Mr. He, who took me hiking in Malong; Wang Chenghan and our landlady Li Wanxiu in Manshuiwan; teachers Mahie Vugi in Mishi and Liu Lan in Guabie; Yang Erche and La Pinzu in Zuosuo; and Ni Chunhua in Futian.

A most special kind of thanks goes to those research collaborators who have actually shared the field experience in the towns and villages. These include three young scholars who are destined to be my lifelong collaborators: Ren Hai, who roomed with me and my moods in four villages in 1988 and has just finished his doctorate under my supervision; Ma Erzi (Mgebbu Lunzy) who taught me most of what I know about Nuosu culture through two field seasons in 1993 and 1994; and Bamo Ayi, who took me on as a collaborator on a day’s notice in 1994, and who I hope will never regret the decision. In addition, I shared the joys and tribulations of the field situation with Li Mingxi, Wang Chengxiao, Liu Xin, and Lan Mingchun in 1998; with Gaga Erri and Zhang Yong in 1993; and with Nuobu Huojy and Yan Dezong in 1994. Everyone was intelligent, kind, and helpful.

Several people have read and commented on earlier drafts of this book, and all of their advice has been helpful. They include Barbara Harrell, Miriam Kahn, Charles McKhann, Ren Hai, Yan Hairong, Colin Mackerras, Norma Diamond, Du Shanshan, and Bamo Ayi. At the University of Washington Press, Naomi Pascal has always been encouraging about the book and the Studies on Ethnic Groups in China series, and Lorri Hagman has been patient, persistent, and insistent enough to turn it into an actual book.

Other scholars have also provided intellectual help and advice; these include Lang Wei, Liu Huiqiang, and Yuan Xiaowen in Chengdu; Li Miao and Ma Yuanxi in Panzhihua; and Bamo Qubumo and Martin Schoenhals in Xichang. I gained much from the hospitality of Yang Liangsheng in Chengdu in 1988, of Bamo Erha and Liu Yulan in Xichang in 1994, and of my elder sister-in-law Zeng Qiansuo in Panzhihua always.

Finally, my greatest debt is to my scholarly elder brother, Deng Yaozong. He took me on in 1987 when I was an unknown quantity and made my project his own, as well as making me his project. He never allowed me to lower my standards, never failed to encourage me when I was down or even despairing, and never gave up his faith in my efforts. To him I dedicate this book.