Women in the Military

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2003
Women in the Military
1
Wed, 07-28-2004 - 1:05pm
China's first revolutionary army of women remains adored

China News 2004-07-28

HAIKOU, July 28 (Xinhuanet)-- Boao, a tiny coastal town in China's southernmost island province of Hainan, has become known around the world in recent years for sponsoring the Boao Forum for Asia.

The place has a greater significance, though, in the history of modern China. Boao is the birthplace of China's first revolutionary army of women, later known as the Red Detachment of Women. As the detachment's 73rd anniversary approaches, the town continues to attract visitors from all over the country.

In May of 1931, when China was surging with movements of national independence and liberation, about 100 women formed a combat unit to fight against feudalism and for equal rights between men and women.

Over the next a few years, this group of woman warriors won several battles against a local warlord, who had at first made themistake of failing to take them seriously. The most famous of these battles was "Shamaoling Battle," during which the women killed more than 100 enemies and captured 70, including the opposing commander.

Their story has remained popular among the Chinese people. It was the subject of a 1960 film, telling the story of Qiong Hua, a heroine who grew up from a slave girl into a revolutionary fighter.

The film's complicated plot and simple, straightforward style caused it to win the Best Feature Film Prize at China's First Hundred Flowers Awards in 1962 and third place at the Bandung Prize at the Third Asia-African Film Festival in 1964 in Indonesia.

Its theme song, "Army Song of the Red Detachment of Women," is both a march and an aria. The melodious, impassioned song is stillpopular today.

Later the story was staged as one of only two ballets produced during China's decade of domestic turmoil (1966-1976). It turned out to be a masterpiece, combining the essence of ballet and Chinese characteristics.

In 2004, the Central Ballet Troupe of China staged "The Red Detachment of Women" in Beijing on May Day and will stage it againon National Day to highlight the story's significance and popularity.

"The unit created a model in world women's revolutionary historythrough their bravery and dedication in battle," said Lu Zhiyuan, Secretary of the Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China.

According to the local government, 15 members of the Red Detachment are still alive. The youngest is 90 years old.

Old as these women are, they remain independent and optimistic by doing housekeeping and cooking by themselves, said an official with the local government.

Wang Yunmei, now 94 years old, often picks up a model gun and poses as though she is sniping. It is just for fun though, she says, and cannot compare with her unforgettable experience. Enditem

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-07/28/content_1667632.htm

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2000
Wed, 07-28-2004 - 1:56pm
Interesting. I hadn't heard of them.
cl-Libraone~

 


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