Page 68 - Erath

Over ninety percent of the Hani live scattered across the Ailao Mountains between the Mekong River and the Red River (Yuanjiang). It is stated that they are descended from the Yi people. The dwellings of the Hani are usually two or three stories high, built with bamboo, mud, stone, and wood. The Hani people usually build their villages on the south slopes of the mountains. A village comprises from ten to as many as 400 households, which are typically related by blood ties.

Situated in the subtropical climate zone, the area inhabited by the Hani people is blessed with a mild climate, abundant rainfall, and fertile soil, providing an ideal condition for the development of agriculture. Viewed from a distance the stockaded villages with their terraced felds, bamboo forests, and "mushroom style houses" make a tranquil rural scene. The terraced felds are a thousand-year-old culture with the Hani people. The multiple terraces give a stepped appearance that follows the natural contours of the escarpments.

Since the Hani people mainly engage in agriculture and due to their rich farming soil, this enhanced the vision behind the Hani Coffee Company. The Hani

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE Tapping a fresh water spring. Enjoying a glass of fresh clean water. Hani girl sitting in front of her house. Sorting beans. Rolling tea. Leslie with kids. Hani boy playing in his village. Clean fresh water to the village. Clean water is critical to quality of life, which is why KAC makes it a priority amongst the children they serve. Working with local villagers, they seek to implement simple, low maintenance and highly functional systems that bring clean water to an entire village.