Small Roads

17/11/2024

👏We are truly grateful for the opportunity to bring documentaries, films, and visuals about Chinese ethnic minorities to the people of Chiang Mai at ! Thank you all for attending!

🛤️Smallroads remains committed to preserving indigenous cultures, promoting minority traditions, and showcasing a different, authentic side of China.

🏔️For customized journeys covering China from north to
south, feel free to contact us. We’re always happy to assist! For more customized travel options, please visit www.smallroads.net.❤️

12/11/2024

👏Experience Authentic Minority Village Handicrafts with Thai Tribal Crafts on Nov 14th!

🌲Karen Culture Month Special Event: Stars Surrounding the Sun

🙌Small Roads, in collaboration with Thai Tribal Crafts Fair Trade, invites you to explore a Karen village in Northern Thailand, immersing yourself in traditional weaving craftsmanship and a unique cultural experience. Led by Elias, the head of Thai Tribal Crafts, this event offers an exceptional opportunity to connect genuinely with the Karen people and experience their authentic way of life.

🌟 About the Event
1. Exclusive Village Access: Visit a Karen village that has partnered with Thai Tribal Crafts for over 30 years, away from tourist routes, and discover the true essence of Karen culture.
2. Hands-on Weaving Experience: Participate in natural dyeing and weaving workshops, where you’ll learn traditional Karen dyeing, backstrap weaving, and embroidery techniques, creating your own craft piece to take home.
3. Authentic Village Life: Stroll through the village, take in the fresh natural beauty, enjoy an authentic village lunch, and engage in meaningful exchanges with the locals, sharing stories along the way.
4. Power of Cultural Heritage: Discover the significance of the “Stars Surrounding the Sun” (Chiror Mee) pattern, a nature-inspired motif symbolizing motherly love and warmth.

🙋‍♀️Join us to discover Northern Thai culture like never before!

05/11/2024

🎉We‘re super excited to present this cross-
cultural exhibition, created in collaboration between Small Roads and Kalm Village!

On view from
🕐16 Nov 2024 - 26 Jan 2024
📍Kalm Art Room
Exhibition opening, film screening and discussion
16 Nov, 5pm
👏Free and open to public

This immersive journey reveals the rich heritage of migration routes from southern China to northern Thailand, highlighting the history, traditions, and collective memory of communities along the way.
Through stunning photography, traditional clothing installation, and beautiful documentary films, the exhibition brings to life the stories of cultural adaptation and resilience across landscapes and generations.

About Small Roads
Small Roads creates customized travel and cultural immersion experiences, working closely with indigenous communities to document their unique stories. Through in-depth fieldwork, we capture these narratives via photography and documentary films, showcasing rarely seen lifestyles and traditions. We connect travelers with locals, offering hands-on experiences with traditional crafts and conservation projects, supporting sustainable community growth and cultural preservation.

📷关于展览
“Journey through the North: Tracing Stories from the
South of China to the North of Thailand”是一次跨越文化的对话，更是一段对历史与族群记忆的深度追溯，由SmallRoads和Kalm Village 共同策划展出。展览将从中国北方的辽阔草原、西南高原，穿越中国南方多民族聚居区，一路南下最终抵达泰国北部。

泰北的许多山地民族，其文化渊源可追溯至中国的西南与西北地区。数百年前的迁徙与文化流动，使这些民族在泰北继续传承着来自故士的文化符号与生活方式。通过影像、传统服饰和纪录片，我们希望呈现这条迁徙之路的历史脉络，以及这些文化在时间与地理变迁中的延续与演变。

✨关于 Small Roads
是一家专注于旅行定制与文化游学的品牌，我们通过与当地社区的深度合作，记录并呈现独特的文化故事。团队深入田野，以影像与纪录片的形式，讲述那些鲜为人知的生活方式与传统。我们带领旅行者与当地人建立真实的连接，提供体验传统文化和参与生态保护的机会，以可持续的方式推动社区的发展与文化的传承。

14/09/2024

Yesterday, the founder of held an in-person talk in .chiangmai with volunteer teachers working along the Thai-Myanmar border to discuss the refugee situation there.

📖Project Background:

After Myanmar gained independence in 1948, conflicts between the Myanmar government and ethnic armed organizations gradually escalated. By the 1980s, as the conflict worsened, this devastating civil war forced a large number of Karen and Karenni people to cross the border, seeking refuge in Thailand.

However, Thailand has not signed the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and does not officially recognize refugees within its borders. As a result, these villagers who fled across the border are only considered ”displaced persons due to conflict,“ rather than refugees under international law.

Lacking full legal status has destined these refugees to a marginalized existence. While Thailand, following humanitarian principles, provides basic food, shelter, medical care, and education, it also requires that these refugees remain confined to the camps. Unless they obtain Thai labor permits, they are considered “illegal immigrants” if they leave the camps.

These Myanmar refugees are entirely excluded from Thailand’s formal systems, and the camps themselves remain disconnected from the national power grid. Despite this, over the past 30 years, Nupo New Village (Camp 1) has developed into a large settlement where at least 10,000 people reside. Hundreds of bamboo houses are organized into 20 zones, featuring schools, churches, markets, shops, and international organization offices.

🛣️Immerse, Preserve, Empower.

Smallroads aims to build bridges of communication through the power of its brand, fostering understanding that leads to deeper engagement and ultimately empowers local communities.

This will be a long-term public welfare project, initiated by us and co-created with various partners. We hope to explore more possibilities with you in the future.💗

04/07/2024

Sharing about Miao embroidery in China

The Miao people, one of China’s oldest ethnic groups, have a rich history and a profound cultural heritage. According to historical records and oral traditions, the Miao ancestors originally lived in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. Led by their ancestor Chiyou, they migrated to t...

03/07/2024

Exploring D**g Culture Through the Lens of Our Beloved French Photographer Yann Layma

Subscribe to Small Roads, where we share insights about China's ethnic minorities every week.

In 1988, the renowned French photographer Yann Layma first ventured into D**g territory and made multiple visits thereafter.

24/06/2024

Grandma whispers softly,
”The Daliang Mountains blush with peach bloom,
It’s time to journey home,
And bask in nature‘s fragrant room.“

23/06/2024

Sharing 20th Century Yi People Photos from ”The Liangshan Yi“

23/06/2024

Discovering the Liangshan Yi Region

Nestled in the remote mountains of Sichuan, the Liangshan Yi region is a place of mystery and rich cultural heritage. For centuries, its rugged terrain and unique social structure have captivated the imaginations of many.

The Yi people, who inhabit this area, have a distinct cultural identity with traditions that have been preserved over generations. Historically, their society was structured in a strict hierarchy that included elements of slavery, which persisted until the mid-20th century. Despite significant changes, the Yi culture remains vibrant and largely intact.

Exploration and Discovery

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the allure of Liangshan’s mysteries drew several Western explorers and anthropologists. These early adventurers documented the region’s unique customs, social structures, and breathtaking landscapes, providing the Western world with a glimpse into the life of the Yi people. Their work helped to reveal the rich tapestry of Yi culture and history, further enhancing the region‘s enigmatic allure.

A Journey of Cultural Immersion

Visiting Liangshan today allows you to walk in the footsteps of those early explorers. Experience traditional festivals like the Torch Festival, where the community gathers for singing, dancing, and torch lighting. Engage with local traditions and witness how ancient customs have been preserved amidst modern changes.

For more information on customized travel plans, please contact us.

19/06/2024

📸 Introducing Small Roads Archives 📸

At Small Roads, we are committed to preserving the rich and diverse traditions of indigenous communities. Our Small Roads Archives project is dedicated to documenting these unique cultures through photography, video, and storytelling.

In our journeys, we capture the vibrant traditions, stunning landscapes, and heartfelt stories of the people we meet. These archives not only preserve their heritage but also share their incredible stories with the world.

What We Do:
- Photographic Documentation: Stunning visuals that showcase the beauty and uniqueness of indigenous cultures.
- Video Stories: Captivating videos that tell the stories of traditions, rituals, and daily life.
- Cultural Preservation: Helping communities preserve their heritage for future generations.

Every image and story we share is a testament to the enduring spirit and cultural richness of these communities. Join us in celebrating and preserving their legacy.

19/06/2024

🌍✨ Welcome to Small Roads! ✨🌍

We are delighted to introduce Small Roads, a company dedicated to sustainable travel, cultural preservation, and community empowerment. Our mission is to curate immersive, customized travel experiences that facilitate profound connections with indigenous cultures while contributing to their preservation and support.

Our Offerings:
- Customized Cultural Journeys: Our personalized travel experiences are led by esteemed scholars and experts, providing deep and enriching cultural immersion.
- Sustainable and Ethical Travel: We design eco-friendly travel routes that emphasize responsible tourism practices and foster meaningful cultural exchanges.
- Cultural Exchange and Educational Travel: We offer immersive learning opportunities that promote understanding and appreciation of indigenous traditions and ways of life.

Our Values:
- Small Roads Archives: We are committed to documenting and preserving endangered indigenous traditions through photography, video, and storytelling. Join us in capturing these invaluable cultural legacies.
- Small Roads Gift: Our initiative supports traditional artisans by promoting their unique handicrafts. Your support helps preserve traditional craftsmanship and provides economic benefits to these artisans.
- Small Roads Public Welfare: We actively support the well-being and development of indigenous communities through education, healthcare, infrastructure projects, and volunteer programs. Participate in meaningful community service and make a tangible impact.
- Exhibitions and Academic Lectures: We organize events that showcase the rich cultural heritage of indigenous communities, fostering cultural exchange and education.

Join Us:
Embark on a journey of discovery, preservation, and empowerment with Small Roads. Together, we can traverse the small roads that lead to great heritage and sustainable futures.