Authors:Long ChunLin; Liu YiTao; Xue JiaRong; LiDeZhu
Abstract:A community bamboo collection has been initiated in Hongqiang community, Chuxiong Prefecture of central Yunnan, Southwest China. The site for this bamboo collection is a mountainous area dominated by the Yi ethnic community. The people of central Yunnan have depended on native biodiversity (including bamboo) for many generations, and have a long tradition in cultivating or protecting certain species of bamboo. The Yi people worship Phyllostachys nigra and protect it [1]. The paper reports on an inventory of bamboos in central Yunnan and the selection of speciĀ c ones to form a community collection based on the importance to the local economy. Bamboo culture is an important traditional cultural phenomenon in central Yunnan. The Yi ethnic community worships bamboo with each clan worshipping only one species. The community bamboo collection contributes to community development by improving the economy as well as the traditional cultural practice of the people. However, it is important to promote awareness and training in conservation and use to ensure their commitment and contributions are sustained for the maintenance of the community bamboo collection.
Keywords:community development; community involvement; culture; ethnic groups; germplasm; indigenous kn