This elderly couple was in charge of a drum tower in a small Dong village in Guizhou province. Being the elders of the village, it was their responsibility to ensure that a fire was constantly burning in the tower. Drum towers were used by the Dong people to alert neighboring villages of impending danger or to announce special festivities.
This is a Miao boatmaker in Guizhou province, China. A face of exquisite expressiveness.
These are Miao schoolchildren in Guizhou province, China. Exceedingly shy, these friendly people allowed us to sleep in their school and share our food with them (the elders forced some rice wine down our throats as well!). Having no musical instruments, we presented them with an accordion as a gift for the village. A Belgian woman had donated funds to the village for a new schoolhouse, which was being built while we were there.