First Impressions: the Bronze Age Banpo Village

This is the China abroad, and boy am I glad. Japan was too clean, orderly, and American. I wanted China, and as the fields, canals, and housing blocks peeped at me through the clouds I felt like crying with excitement -- I am going to finally be in China! I got homesick for India -- the chaos, the commotion, the beauty -- I hoped China would give me a taste of what I longed for.

I was very impressed with the Banpo village site. There were many layers to it, and this complexity made it the perfect artifact that encompasses what I understand China to be.

Let me see, where do I start. The fact that this village was built in the Bronze Age gives us the sense of how old Chinese culture is. I must admit that I often wondered if the village was not made up by the Chinese government. I don't know why I felt this way, I just did.

Besides the ancient and rich history what impressed me was the fact (of what was presented as fact) that it was a matriarchal village. This was a great indication of the complexity of Chinese history. The fact that a village existed that potentially did not follow traditional patriarchal patterns is very interesting and adds a new twist to the culture.

The fact that the guides did not have enough information to prove to us that the village was matriarchal was very telling about the Chinese and their culture and politics. I feel that often the citizens are misinformed and not encouraged to ask questions. There are many blurry spots and smiles and nods.

The most shocking, emotional, and thought provoking exhibit in the Banpo village was the exhibit of the indigenous people from other countries. From what I gather by talking with John Williams and other students, this was an exhibit to show the Chinese (all the signs in this room were in Chinese) that they have progressed so much, while there are still some "primitive" cultures who live the way the Chinese did over 4000 years ago. This sense of pride and confidence in a country which the rest of the world criticizes for its governmental system was interesting.

- Ayesha Irani