English Version
2003.3
Return
My Father Zeng Xianyang
Article  by Zeng Li  Photo by Zeng Xianyang

   “What does your father do?”
   
That’s a question I’ve had to answer since childhood. But the answer has been different from time to time.He was a cartoonist Ñ I remembered that was the first occupation of my father. I was then a little girl.
   
And later he came to be an editor, a photo journalist, a collector and a scholar...
   
Nowadays, however, I don’t think I can tell what my father is doing exactly.
   
I adore my father who is humorous and full of wisdom. He has been quite popular among the cartoonists in the country.
   
My father is open-minded. Whenever he was at home we felt at ease. He has never forced me to do anything. He said that’s the way a family should be Ñ no pressure, no worries and no fears.
   
When I was in the first year of my college I got to know how to knit. I still remember the day when I showed him the first sweater I made. He said: “Pretty good, but if you could use the time to enrich yourself in your study, you would be able to afford 10 of these brand new.”
   
Ever since I have never touched knitting needles. I thought my father did not want me to be a “little lady.”
   
My father had his way to educate his children Ñ he taught me how to think, which involved my college entrance examination, my selection at university, my job and my marriage, from which I can see how I have grown up.


Mr. Zeng Xiaoyang in an ancient dress he has collected. The picture was taken in 2002.(Liping,Guizhou Province)

Pleated garment with a history of about 100 years (Guizhou Province)

Miao iron-soled shoes of the Qing Dynasty (Bijie,Guizhou Province) 
Wax printing Clothes with a history of over 100 years worn by the ceremony director at the Guzang Festival held once in 13 years. There are mysterious patterns on the clothes. (Yueliangshan,Guizhou Province)

Silver ornament Ancient Miao earring(Liping,Guizhou Province)