Local Traditional Knowledge in Its Urban Context Local Traditional Knowledge in Its Urban Context: A Case Study of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali, China By Huier Ma and Huhua Cao Local Traditional Knowledge in Its Urban Context: A Case Study of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali, China By Huier Ma and Huhua Cao This book first published 2021 Cambridge Scholars Publishing Lady Stephenson Library, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2PA, UK British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Copyright © 2021 by Huier Ma and Huhua Cao All rights for this book reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. ISBN (10): 1-5275-6871-7 ISBN (13): 978-1-5275-6871-6 CONTENTS List of Figures.......................................................................................... viii List of Maps ................................................................................................ x List of Tables ............................................................................................. xi Foreword .................................................................................................. xii Abstract .................................................................................................... xv 摘要 ........................................................................................................ xvi List of Abbreviations ............................................................................. xvii List of Important Chinese Terms .......................................................... xviii Chapter 1 .................................................................................................... 1 Introduction Chapter 2 .................................................................................................... 5 Exploring urbanization and Bai culture in China 2.1. Urbanization in contemporary China ............................................. 5 2.1.1. Accelerators of urbanization.................................................. 6 2.1.2. Land-centred urbanization ..................................................... 8 2.1.3. People-centred urbanization .................................................. 9 2.1.4. Urban planning experiences ................................................ 10 2.2. Minorities’ urbanization in contemporary China ........................ 11 2.2.1. Current trends in minorities’ urbanization ........................... 13 2.2.2. Challenges of inclusion and adaptation to urbanization ...... 14 2.2.3. Interethnic relationships ...................................................... 15 2.3. Understanding the Bai minority .................................................. 16 2.3.1. The origin and the geographic distribution of the Bai ......... 16 2.3.2. The urbanization of the Bai population ............................... 19 2.3.3. Empirical studies from national, regional and city scales ... 20 2.3.4. Urban experiences of the Bai .............................................. 22 vi Contents 2.4. Local traditional knowledge in Dali ............................................ 22 2.4.1. The Bai language ................................................................. 23 2.4.2. Ritual practices .................................................................... 23 2.4.3. Traditional Bai architecture ................................................. 24 2.5. Government policies on cultural preservation ............................. 31 2.6. Research objectives and questions ............................................... 32 2.7. Definition of key concepts .......................................................... 33 2.8. Research framework ................................................................... 37 Chapter 3 .................................................................................................. 40 Methodology 3.1. Study area selection .................................................................... 41 3.2. Data resources .............................................................................. 44 3.2.1. Authorized second-hand questionnaire survey .................... 44 3.2.2. Focus groups ...................................................................... 45 3.3. Data analysis process .................................................................. 47 Chapter 4 .................................................................................................. 49 Data analysis and results 4.1. Questionnaire .............................................................................. 49 4.1.1. Demographic information ................................................... 51 4.1.2. Local dwellings .................................................................. 63 4.1.3. Ritual practice and folklife .................................................. 77 4.1.4. Public space and cultural preservation ................................ 80 4.2. Focus groups ............................................................................... 86 4.2.1. The Bai culture in Dali ....................................................... 91 4.2.2. The local Bai language ....................................................... 91 4.2.3. Local Bai dwellings ............................................................ 93 4.2.4. Ritual practices ................................................................. 102 4.2.5. Traditional festivals .......................................................... 103 4.2.6. Bai costumes .................................................................... 104 4.2.7. Policy and regulations ...................................................... 105 Chapter 5 ................................................................................................ 108 Incorporating LTK in urban development 5.1. The syncretism of different cultures ......................................... 108 5.1.1. A changing language environment ................................... 108 5.1.2. The influence of Western-inspired homes ........................ 111 5.2. The dynamics and complexities of cultural conservation ......... 112 5.2.1. Managing urban-rural differences .................................... 112 5.2.2. Balancing traditional and modern lifestyles ..................... 114 Local Traditional Knowledge in Its Urban Context vii 5.3. Rethinking cultural preservation ............................................... 116 5.3.1. Ritualizing the Bai identity ............................................... 116 5.3.2. Promoting traditional values ............................................. 118 5.4. Moving forward to people-centred urbanization ....................... 119 5.4.1. Adopting a hybrid approach ............................................. 120 5.4.2. Building a deliberative decision-making process ............. 121 5.5. The role of LTK in urbanization ............................................... 123 5.5.1. The preservation of a traditional cultural landscape .......... 123 5.5.2. The development of a sense of place ................................. 124 Chapter 6 ................................................................................................ 126 Conclusion 6.1. Research review ......................................................................... 126 6.2. Research findings ....................................................................... 127 6.3. Empirical contributions .............................................................. 129 6.4. Limitations and future directions ............................................... 130 References .............................................................................................. 132 Appendix I .............................................................................................. 143 Questionnaire Appendix II ............................................................................................. 151 Summary information of the questionnaire survey participants Appendix III ........................................................................................... 154 Summary information of the focus groups participants LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2.1. China’s population growth rate from 1990 to 2010 ............... 12 Figure 2.2. National ethnic minority population and urbanization rate .... 13 Figure 2.3. Population and urbanization rates in Dali .............................. 19 Figure 2.4. Basic characteristics of traditional Bai dwellings ................... 26 Figure 2.5. Typical layouts of traditional Bai dwellings .......................... 27 Figure 2.6. Floral pattern on a Bai dwelling ............................................. 28 Figure 2.7. A typical gate tower ............................................................... 29 Figure 2.8. Old Bai homes in a rural area ................................................. 30 Figure 2.9. Layered model of culture ....................................................... 34 Figure 2.10. Research framework ............................................................. 38 Figure 3.1. Research design ...................................................................... 40 Figure 3.2. Workflow chart ...................................................................... 41 Figure 4.1.1. Gender of participants by place of residence....................... 52