Study On The Skin Raft And Men Operating Skin Rafts On The Yellow River In Gansu In The Period Of The Republic Of China

Skin raft as a product of the particular geographical environment of Northwest China is an ancient shipping tool in the upper reaches of the Yellow River. With the increasing trade in the period of the Republic of China, Skin raft has become the main tool for the water transport and played an important role in the social and economic life. The men who operating rafts had become a particular occupational group had many people. Study on the skin raft and men operating rafts in the period of the Republic of China will help deepen the understanding of social life in Northwest China and highlight the historical backgrounds and cultural connotations for today's tourism of skin raft.This paper consists of the following parts:transportation by skin raft, the composition, working conditions, historical role and contribution of the men who operating rafts. The first chapter attempt to restore the historical images by research the Process, routes, functions of the transportation by skin raft. The second chapter is an analysis of the birthplace, age, residence, level of education, community organization and sense of community of the men who operating rafts. The third chapter describes how dangerous and difficult to transportation by skin raft. The fourth chapter is a summary of the historical role and contribution of the men who operating rafts.