Those who attend agricultural or food-related fairs in Sichuan province may be fortunate enough to encounter a unique sight – a 51-year-old farmer dressed as an ancient porter, transporting tea along the historic Tea Horse Road. Zhu Hengbin’s costume includes a large bag slung over his back and sandals on his feet, with a cane to support him on occasion. Interested observers often ask to take pictures with him as he portrays his role vividly.
Zhu’s portrayal of a poor porter is so convincing that some visitors may wonder if he was hired to perform. However, Zhu is not an actor or performer, but a farmer from Mao’douba village in Wuxian town, Yingjing county of Ya’an, Sichuan province. He took the initiative to play the role in order to promote the culture of the ancient Tea Horse Road and tap into the tea market.
The ancient Tea Horse Road was an important trade route connecting Southwest China to Tibet and beyond, with tea being a significant commodity traded along the route. As a farmer, Zhu is familiar with the tea industry and sees the potential for promoting the Tea Horse Road culture as well as the tea market. Through his portrayal of an ancient porter, Zhu hopes to attract attention and generate interest in the historic route and the tea that was traded along it.
Zhu’s portrayal of the ancient porter not only serves to promote the Tea Horse Road culture but also reflects his pride in the heritage of his hometown. By portraying the role, he helps to keep the history and culture of the area alive, which is important in preserving the cultural identity of a region. Furthermore, his initiative to promote the tea industry could potentially benefit the local economy and provide opportunities for local farmers like himself.
Zhu Hengbin’s portrayal of an ancient porter carrying tea along the Tea Horse Road is a unique and creative way to promote the culture of the historic trade route and tap into the tea market. As a farmer, he understands the potential benefits of promoting the tea industry and preserving the cultural heritage of his hometown. By taking the initiative to play the role, Zhu serves as an ambassador of the Tea Horse Road culture and a proud representative of his community.
For centuries, Ya’an has been a gateway for people traveling from the inland areas to the Tibet autonomous region. As a result, the city is known for its abundance of tea, which was traditionally consumed by Tibetans after meals of beef and mutton. This is why the historical porters trekked from Ya’an to Tibet, with their trusty sandals and bags of tea weighing between 100 to 150 kilograms. When fatigue set in, they leaned on their canes for support and took brief rests. And when hunger struck, they would consume the dry food they brought with them from home.
The Tea Horse Road earned its name from the long-standing trade of tea for Tibetan horses, which were highly valued for their use in military campaigns. A constant stream of porters made the journey to deliver tea to Tibet. The road played an important role in promoting cultural exchange between the people of the Tibetan plateau and the Han Chinese living in the Sichuan and Yunnan provinces.
Unfortunately, with the development of modern transportation, it is difficult to find porters carrying tea on the ancient Tea Horse Road nowadays. This has led to a sense of disconnection and loss for many who feel that this important part of China’s cultural heritage is being forgotten. However, efforts are being made to revive interest in the Tea Horse Road and promote its significance to younger generations.
Despite the challenges of modernity, the legacy of the Tea Horse Road endures. It serves as a reminder of the ingenuity, perseverance, and cultural exchange that occurred along this ancient trade route. As we honor the memory of the porters who once carried tea over mountains and through valleys, we can also appreciate the importance of preserving our cultural heritage for future generations.
Zhu Hengbin, a 51-year-old farmer from Mao’douba village in Wuxian town, Yingjing county of Ya’an, Sichuan province, is a man on a mission. He has dedicated his life to preserving the memory of the porters who once walked the ancient Tea Horse Road. Zhu plays the role of a porter carrying tea along the ancient route, and he has been called “the last porter on the Tea Horse Road” for his perfect portrayal of the role.
Before 2010, Zhu’s life revolved around searching for traditional Chinese medicinal herbs in the deep mountains of Ya’an. He was also an herb broker, buying and selling herbs, and he became locally famous as a dealer in Ya’an. However, in 2010, Zhu stumbled upon a large section of wild tea growing in Yingjing while searching for herbs. All the plants were more than 50 years old. That year, Zhu registered his Porter brand of organic black tea with the Yingjing County Agricultural Department Co.
Zhu’s philosophy is simple: to grow good tea, one needs to conform to the natural environment and agricultural laws. He does not use fertilizer or pesticides, and only gets rid of withered weeds in winter. The tea leaves are carefully picked, roasted, and dried to ensure the highest quality.
To promote the ancient Tea Horse Road culture and his own tea brand, Zhu often carries a bag weighing 15 kg as he trudges along the ancient route, collecting and sorting out stories of the road and the porters who walked it. He believes that the spirit of the Tea Horse Road porters empowers him and provides the spiritual motivation to live and strive for a better life.
In September 2021, carrying his bag of tea, Zhu traveled from Yingjing to Kangding again. The journey takes two hours by bus, but it took Zhu more than four months as he stopped frequently to record what he saw on the road. His short videos attracted the attention of netizens and made his organic black tea famous.
While some may see Zhu’s journey as a difficult performance art, he sees it as a way to connect with the history of the Tea Horse Road and the people who walked it. He is passionate about preserving the memory of the porters and ensuring that their contributions to China’s history are not forgotten.
Zhu’s dedication to preserving the memory of the porters is admirable. He has taken on the role of a porter and has made it his mission to promote the ancient Tea Horse Road culture and his own tea brand. Zhu’s organic black tea is now famous, and his short videos documenting his journey have captured the attention of netizens. His commitment to conforming to the natural environment and agricultural laws in growing his tea demonstrates his deep respect for the land and the ancient traditions of tea production.
Zhu’s journey is more than just a difficult performance art; it is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of history to inspire us to strive for a better life. Zhu’s passion for the Tea Horse Road and the porters who walked it has inspired many, and his dedication to preserving their memory will ensure that their legacy lives on for generations to come.
Read More: