Eigenverlag/Self

Abstract:
Improvement of infrastructure is essential for the realisation of fast modernisation; infrastructural changes mean shorter transportation routes, a speeding up of the sense of time, new economic opportunities and connections to major cities. People initially experience modernisation as a simplifi cation of their everyday lives. Many transformations are not visible at the fi rst moment or hard to be noticed; for example traditional knowledge and skills become redundant or new consumer goods replace local handicrafts. Until the beginning of the 20th century, yak hide coracles played an important role in Tibetan water transportation systems. These boats are still built in Chun, the last remaining fishing village in central Tibet. Due to road and bridge construction Chun was linked to the local network in 2004. This infrastructural development led to a new mobility of the villagers and fishermen, along with new opportunities for income and economic orientation. The yak hide coracles are about to be transformed as well as the profession of the fi shermen – both remaining probably only in the form of small model boats made for tourists or as subcontractors for a newly constructed fish restaurant of the local government. This article examines the ways in which Tibetan fi shermen adapted to this fast modernisation and how the economic and cultural niche has changed over the past decades.