Secretary Deji Zhuoma's First "Five-Year Plan"

The Nujiang Grand Canyon in June, hot winds swirl dust in the air, the banana leaves by the river are shining green, and the pomegranate trees are shedding their last red blossoms and beginning to bear fruit.

This is a lively and busy season. Every day before dawn, villagers in Longbu Village, Chawa Long Township, Chayu County, Tibet Autonomous Region, go up the mountains with flashlights and headlamps to search for the "spirits of the mountains"—matsutake mushrooms. "This is the hardest but also the happiest time of the year for our village! The first batch of high-quality matsutake can sell for over 3,000 yuan per jin!"

These words were spoken by Deji Zhuoma, the newly elected village secretary of Longbu Village, a 29-year-old Tibetan girl. She is beautiful, intelligent, and dignified.

"Now, everyone's environmental awareness is very strong! If the matsutake are too small, we don't dig them! The pits left after digging are immediately backfilled to protect the mushroom species!"

"Picking matsutake is indeed hard work. We go up the mountain with dry food early in the morning and can only return around 4 or 5 in the afternoon. By then, first-hand buyers from Yunnan, Sichuan, and local areas will also arrive. We select, grade, carefully package, and then drive overnight to send the matsutake from Longbu Village out."

In 2019, Deji Zhuoma graduated from Xizang Vocational and Technical College with a major in Civil Engineering and returned to her hometown, Chayu County. After hard work, she became a rural revitalization specialist.

"I was born in Zhuguagenkongdang Village. My parents are both farmers. Besides missing home from time to time, I know best what the villagers want most!"

Longbu, located on the banks of the Nujiang River, is a traditional multi-ethnic settlement. The Bingcha Cha Highway (a representative section of National Highway 219), known as the most difficult "Warrior's Road" in China, passes through the village. The entire village has 70 households and 331 people, including Nu, Tibetan, Dulong, Bai, and Han ethnicities. "I've been here for 7 years, and a big feeling is that the whole village is like a big ethnic family, everyone is united, friendly, and helps each other."

"Why did they choose me as the village secretary? Maybe because I get along with everyone like family. Or maybe it's because I'm responsible, educated, and have ideas."

Arriving at the home of Zhen Na, a villager of the Nu ethnic group, sitting in the spacious and magnificent living room, the newly appointed village secretary Deji Zhuoma talked to visitors about her first "five-year plan."

"Let the land grow more money"

In Deji Zhuoma's plan, industry is the top priority.

"Collecting traditional Chinese medicine and picking mushrooms in the mountains has always been our tradition here. But relying entirely on nature is not sustainable. So, in recent years, the village has planted pomegranates. We are also developing morel mushrooms, wild-simulated Ganoderma lucidum, and Paris polyphylla under the forest."

On May 14, Deji Zhuoma (first from left), the village secretary of Longbu Village and a 29-year-old Tibetan woman, discusses work with village cadres. Photo by Luo Zhonghua.

"The state is investing heavily in building roads for us. At the beginning of this year, the asphalt road from our village south to Gongshan County, Yunnan, was completed, and we no longer have to pass through the terrifying 'Great Quicksand'. The asphalt road to the county town will also be paved next year. Once the accessibility improves, our specialty agricultural products will surely become the villagers' 'money bags.'" She calculates that she will refine the planting and breeding industry to make the mountains and land "grow" more income. In 5 years, the annual per capita income will be higher than the current 25,000 yuan.

"Hold together like pomegranate seeds"

Longbu Village is not large, but it has many ethnic groups. "A few years ago, a son-in-law from Yunnan, named Duan Haisheng, came to the village. His wife, Bianma Zhuoma, is from the Nu ethnic group. Now, besides speaking Mandarin, Bianma Zhuoma can also speak fluent Bai language. And Duan Haisheng can not only speak Nu language but also Tibetan, Lisu, and Dulong languages."

"In short, Duan Haisheng communicates with everyone in the village using their own language. Coupled with his business acumen, villagers love to chat with him."

Deji Zhuoma said, "In our village, forging the sense of community of the Chinese nation is not just an empty slogan. Every fifth and tenth day of the Tibetan calendar, if you come here, you will see Tibetans, Nu, Dulong, and Lisu people gathering in the square, singing and dancing around the incense burner, praying for blessings. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank the Communist Party and General Secretary Xi Jinping!"

"Preserve craftsmanship, look to the future"

"Ethnic culture is our root and soul." Zhen Na, a 64-year-old Nu elder in the village, is one of the inheritors of the intangible cultural heritage of red clay pottery making. During the slack farming season, he digs earth, refines clay, shapes pottery, and fires it using ancient methods. This red clay pottery-making skill has been passed down from his grandfather and father and has remained unchanged. Because Zhen Na's pottery is exceptionally exquisite and durable, it is eagerly sought after by people from all surrounding areas whenever it is displayed at holiday markets.

On May 14, Zhen Na (right), a 64-year-old Nu craftsman from Longbu Village, is making red clay pottery. Photo by Luo Zhonghua.

Deji Zhuoma wants to help Zhen Na pass on his skills. "I have been urging his two sons to learn pottery making from their father, but they don't seem very interested. But I believe that when our pottery art becomes known and liked by more people, with more sales and income, their ideas might change." Deji Zhuoma's tone carries helplessness but also confidence.

In addition to red clay pottery, Deji Zhuoma is currently discussing with several villagers about brewing low-alcohol sweet wine using the village's high-mountain corn, barley, and their craftsmanship. "Let old skills become new industries. Perhaps we can sell our products online, allowing them to reach further and be tested in a larger market."

As she bid farewell, Deji Zhuoma told visitors that with the improvement of the Bingcha Cha Highway conditions, more and more self-driving tourists are coming. She and all the villagers will work together to build Longbu Village into a "happy and beautiful border village," welcoming everyone with a more ancient and brand-new look. She said, "As a grassroots party member, I have a simple idea in my heart: I want to be like the national highway '219' beside me—love for a long time! Always love the Party, love the country, and love the people!" (End)