Ecological Anthropology Hani Ponds Analysis

Hani nationality, as one of the indigenous peoples, created a kind of ecological cycle system adaptive to natural ecological system by means of full awareness of natural environment peculiar to Ailao mountain and correct guidance of its subjective initiative: forests—villages—terraces—rivers. The fishpond, the object studied in the thesis, constitutes one part of terrace ecological system.The fishpond of Quan Fuzhuang village,Yuanyang County,Honghe Prefecture plays an important part in Hani terrace culture ecosystem in Ailao mountain. In terms of agricultural production function of the fishpond, it is not only the reservoir of seedling fields, but also the site of fish-farming, spawning and fry hatching. Moreover, its outputs can also provide the local people with quality protein resource; in terms of social and cultural functions of the fishpond, the construction history of the fishpond develops together with the developmental history of villages. The fishpond is a place connecting social relations, and also a kind of relation expression of ultimogeniture. The appropriate exploitation of the fishpond is a manifestation of harmonious relations between Hani people and nature. In the era of commodity marketization, the fishpond and terrace have the potential for further development and utilization. Meanwhile, Hani terrace culture ecosystem is confronted with various problems, such as the sustainability of rice-fish mixed cropping agriculture, invasive destruction from alien species. But, ultimately, all of these problems are caused by people’s mere pursuit of economic growth and their deviation in the recognition of the relationship between human beings and nature.What can be learned from Hani ecological agriculture is that the development of ecologic culture should be besed on eco-cultural view of harmonious development of human beings and nature.