The Land that Shapes the People
Mountainous terrain of a karst topography of steep slopes and rich
limestone soils in subtropical south-central China, Guizhou Province,
People's Republic of China (August, 2008).
Terraced fields and homes carved and constructed into the hillsides
by members of the Miao Minortiy (who prefer to be called the Hmong),
Guizhou Province, People's Republic of China (August, 2008).
With most of the land in slope, flat areas are utilized. In the absence
of level areas to build or farm, they are created. Hmong homes, rice
fields, community, Guizhou Province, People's Republic of China
(August, 2008).
Processing clay mined locally at a Hmong-family pottery works,
Guizhou Province, People's Republic of China (August, 2008).
Firing bowls in a kiln at a Hmong-family pottery works, Guizhou
Province, People's Republic of China (August, 2008).
Steep mountain slopes, rich siol, warm weather, much precipitation,
many rivers and streams, an abundance of small farming communities,
Guizhou Province, People's Republic of China (August, 2008).
Ricefield terraces stepping up the steep karst slopes, Xijiang Village,
Guizhou Province, People's Republic of China (August, 2008).
Fishing a Hmong ricefield, Guizhou Province, People's Republic of China
(August, 2008).
What would, in America, often be a wasted plot of land on the edge
of a parking lot, is here made productive, Beijing, People's Republic
of China (July, 2008).
All photographs, drawings and prose by Brad Houk unless otherwise noted.
Copyright © 2008 by Brad Houk, All Rights Reserved
| 
