Duan Family's Self-Sustaining Lifestyle
A look inside the Duan family's culinary customs.
July 15, 2008— -- In the Hebei Province of China, the Duan couple, both in their 70s, rise with the sun every morning. Before the sun gets too hot, they weed and water their fields of corn and peanuts. It's back-breaking work.
The Duan family, like so many farming families all around China, eat what they grow and some of what they produce is sold in the local farmer's market and fed to their 33 sheep, which bring in the majority of the family's income.
The elderly couple, who have been married for nearly 50 years, still grow much of their own food, but it is more and more difficult these days, with their age and the absence of their strong sons.
"All of our children work in the cities now, so it is difficult to raise vegetables," said Li Gui Hua, the 70-year-old matron of the family.
Usually, Li Gui Hua only cooks for herself and her husband. But the day we visited the Duan family was special. Every other week, the Duans' children try to make their way home for a family dinner.
"It's always a joyous occasion when our children come home!" Mr. Duan exclaimed. "We cook extra dishes, all of which are our children's favorites."
The Duans have four children, a daughter and three sons, who work in nearby cities. Their wages help to supplement the family's farming income. Two of Mr. Duan's four children, with grandchildren in tow, were able to come home for dinner. It's hard for the whole family to get together, and usually the entire family of 15 only reunites once a year, during the Spring Festival.
Preparation
For today's feast, Li Gui Hua started preparing the table's dishes very early in the afternoon. Her eldest daughter-in-law soon arrived early to help prepare the meal.
They washed and cut the vegetables, most of which were grown in nearby fields. Some of the vegetables have to be bought from the farmer's markets, but the Duan family still remains somewhat self-sustaining. They grow their own corn and wheat for flour and cornmeal, and peanuts for oil.
Related Stories
ABC News Live