|
What is our symbol?
Our symbol in the cover is from a Naxi pictography that means “mountain”;
The title of BAMA is a name of a Tibetan sacred mountain in Yunnan, it also means “lotus”, a kind of pure flower that can only be found in a pure land.
It is the symbol of great and pure mountains, as well as the power of multi cultures.
Who are we?
BAMA is a research-action team created in 2004. Presently it is under the supervision of Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences. It has developed from Azara Visual Workshop (2000), a team of volunteers who are interested in documentary and participatory visual education.
We are a group of researchers and local workers from different nationalities such as Tibetan, Naxi, Bai and Han Chinese.
What are we interested in?
Our purpose is to work with the indigenous peoples in order to promote the natural & cultural preservation in the mountain-river area of South West China.
What do we believe in?
The basic concept directing our research and action is Sacred Mountain , in which the word of Sacred means Cultures .
Culture is a link between nature and human beings;
A mountain of nature is also a sacred mountain of cultures;
We can do nothing but to work and share with local peoples.
How do we organized?
The Institute presently comprises three departments:
1. Mountain Cultural Department: focuses on sacred mountain research and preservation. We have been conducting long-term researches and PRA actions in the Area of Kawagebo, a sacred mountain on the border of Yunnan and Tibet.
2. Visual Education Department: Focuses on participatory visual education in target area, and also organizes the Yunnan Multi Cultures Visual Forum (YUNFEST).
3. Participatory Preserve Department: focuses on actions and researches of natural preservation on the basis of understanding indigenous cultures.
What have we done?
1. “The Impact of Setting Up a Preserve on Local Communities in Kawagebo Area of Yunnan”, founded by TNC of USA, 2001;
2. “ Preservation and Development Project in Great River Area of The Northwest Yunnan”，supported by the People’s Government of Yunnan Province and TNC，2000-2002；
3. “Participatory Video Education”, founded by the Ford Foundation, 2002;
4. “Community-Based Education for Enhancing Bio-Cultural Diversity through Strengthening Indigenous Knowledge in Yunnan”, founded by the Ford Foundation, 2003-2005;
5. “The I Yunnan Multi Cultures Visual Forum, Kunming, 2003.
6. “Imaging The Mekong 2003 (Yunnan)”, founded by Probe Media Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation.
What are we going to do??
1. To promote participatory education in villages as well as to promote public education of cultural and biodiversity in the mountain areas of Southwest China.
2. Researches and actions on sacred mountain preservation.
3. To organize the Yunnan Multi Cultures Visual Forum 2005;
4. Cooperate with grass-root groups in the field of local cultural-natural preservation as well as improve the situation of local peoples’ life.
Whom are we cooperating with?
Institutions at Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences;
CBIK;
Yunnan Provincial Museum;
Kawagebo Culture Society, a local Tibetan preserve group in Deqin County, Yunnan;
Kawagebo Museum, a local Tibetan preserve group in Deqin, Yunnan.
The school and villagers of Cizhong Village, Deqin, Yunnan;
The school and villagers of Tangdui Village, Nixi, Shangri-la County, Yunnan;
The People’s Government of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan;
The Ford Foundation;
Conservation International;
Probe Media Foundation in the Philippines;
The Rockefeller Foundation;
The Chinese National Committee for Man and the Biosphere;
Yunnan University;
Yunnan Nationalities University;
Mankind and Nature Magazine.
Man and the Biosphere Magazine.
How to contact us?
BAMA Mountain Culture Research Institute
Address: Yunan Academy of Social Sciences
577 Huan Cheng Xi Lu, Kunming, P. R. China
PC: 650034
Tel: +86 871 5321298
Fax: +86 871 5321298
E-mail: bamamount1@yahoo.com.cn
Website: http://www.bamamount.org
|
