Page 36 - JCAU-6-2

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Regenerating tradition: Rural revitalization

Figure 5. Li anthropology mapping. Source: Drawing by the authors

closing them off to net fish (Wen & Wen, 2012). In the and then, using a hollowed-out log, diverting the water
lower catchment wetlands and low-lying areas near between the fields.
rivers, the Li family built open canals in their paddy fields Knowledge of natural resources also enabled the ancient
and cofferdams in the rivers. These dams, constructed
with stones or soil, would block one-third or even half Li family to accumulate rich practical knowledge in adapted
of the river, creating a water diversion. This diversion agricultural production, fostering a self-sufficient small-
allowed water to flow into the open canals irrigating the farming economy. They employed cows to break up the
fields until filled, at which point the cofferdam would be soil and provide natural fertilizer. Chickens freely foraged
removed. In areas with varying levels of rice fields, the Li in village streets. In the fields, the Li family practiced crop
family managed rainwater by diverting it through ditches rotation to restore soil fertility and planted crops such as

Volume 6 Issue 2 (2024) 6 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.1304