Water Buffalo School Introduction
Yuyi Mountain Forest Water Buffalo School Returns to the Countryside to Reclaim the Declining Culture of Ox Plowing Located in Xinpu Township, Water Buffalo School, led by Principal Li Chun-hsin, has witnessed the gradual decline of ox plowing culture and is determined to revive it. He calls upon children of all ages who possess a sense of wonder to return to the countryside, connect with the buffalo, and practice nature education that is friendly to the land. Upon opening the iron gate of the red-brick sanheyuan (three-part courtyard house), two strong dogs immediately stand alert. In this house, besides Li Chun-hsin and his four-and-a-half-year-old child, there are also two cats, three dogs, seven buffalo, and a pigeon. Perhaps due to his long years of living in the hilly mountains, Li Chun-hsin, who is in his forties, speaks somewhat awkwardly, but his laughter resonates lightly through the forest. Originally an information engineer, he pursued further studies at the Coventry University School of Art in the UK after working for two years. While abroad, he was often asked about his hometown and culture, leading him to realize that artists must identify elements that resonate with them. Ten years ago, he established a personal studio in a small village in Xinpu, exploring the essence of local Taiwanese life. Rediscovering Traditional and Nature-Friendly Ox Plowing Techniques During his peaceful years in the mountains, Li often communicated with local farmers and discovered that the ox plowing methods from before the mechanical farming era are much more eco-friendly. To experience eco-friendly farming, he decided to start by observing the growth habits of the buffalo, building relationships, mastering ox plowing techniques, and reviving the ox plowing culture that had been forgotten by time. The modern machinery can quickly accomplish farming tasks, but using the traditional ox plowing technique at least requires tools such as a plow and a harrow to turn dry soil into mud. Li meticulously organizes the processes and tools, gradually building a deep bond with the seven buffalo. He praises the intelligence of the buffalo, noting that they will return home on their own when they're full and the weather turns dark, recognizing their owner and only displaying "buffalo temper" when they are hungry or too hot, much like humans would have their own moods. As both the "Buffalo Dad" and the principal of Water Buffalo School, Li has a clear goal: to train all the buffalo to become plowing buffalo, tailoring the teaching approach to each buffalo’s learning pace. Through practice and review, he aims to help the buffalo develop a habit of working the fields. Establishing the "Water Buffalo School" to Promote Taiwanese Buffalo Spirit Li interprets the term "life" through pictograms: it signifies "people" and "buffalo" standing together on "land," highlighting the significant companionship and symbiotic relationship between ancestors and buffalo in cultivating the land. Furthermore, the "Water Buffalo Spirit" symbolizes the resilience of Taiwanese people as they strive for a living. By founding Water Buffalo School, Li views ox plowing as his life mission, primarily focusing on artistic creation while promoting the cultural value of buffalo through experiential courses, thus continuing the ideals of truth, goodness, and beauty. The school offers one-day experience camps and summer and winter camps for life education, with courses that include learning about various ox plowing tools and natural farming methods. Young shepherds are taught to lead buffalo, herd them, ride them, harness them, massage them, clean their barns, prepare their feed, sun-dry their dung, and interact closely with the buffalo. Through these interactions and labor, children understand the nature and characteristics of the buffalo and discover the wonders of life, appreciating the land. In addition to ox plowing, the curriculum at Water Buffalo School also includes activities like pigeon post, nature exploration, firewood gathering, outdoor cooking, and creating incense and handmade paper from buffalo dung, offering a rich rural experience. Plans are also in place to have children use tools and knot-tying techniques to build traditional climbing structures, learning teamwork and the joy of using traditional tools effectively. A Brushstroke on the Leash: Dancing with Buffalo in Art As a master of fine arts, Li connects the buffalo’s harness with brushstrokes, hoping to channel the subtle force felt in leading the buffalo into his drawings on land. "When leading the buffalo, I observe how the tension in the rope varies; the rope relaxes when the buffalo is calm but tightens when it is hungry and unwilling to move. This variation translates to lines in my artwork, creating dynamic expressions based on the differing emotions of both the human and the buffalo." Li's ox plowing art includes using buffalo dung as fuel, making paper from it, and creating incense. He refers to buffalo dung as "百草膏" (hundred herbs cream), emphasizing the diversity in the buffalo's diet, which, combined with ample exercise, leads to well-formed, high-quality dung. Grounding the dung into powder makes sweet-smelling incense, which can be enjoyed alongside a good cup of tea during leisurely rural times. Starting with a Connection to Nature to Reclaim the Cultural Value of Buffalo In the years since the founding of Water Buffalo School, Li has experienced both sweet and bitter moments. He humorously describes his commitment to good principles. This experiential learning has increasingly attracted like-minded partners and many children who wish to connect with nature and the land. The most fulfilling moments come when parents and children recognize and desire to learn the traditional spirit of ox plowing together, reclaiming the cultural value of buffalo. Li believes that buffalo culture is a crucial element of land culture in Taiwan, yet many have forgotten the memories of ox plowing from the agricultural society and that many cultural festivals do not feature buffalo as the main subject, with only folk customs quietly honoring it through avoiding beef. Li hopes to awaken people’s appreciation for the significance of ox plowing through the fusion of farming and art. In the future, Principal Li Chun-hsin plans to continue searching for fertile, pollution-free farmland, bringing the buffalo to this promised land to construct structures using natural materials, embodying his ideals, and allowing both humans and buffalo to walk forward together.
