It is a living example of how geographical challenges, cultural preservation, and modernization intersect, offering valuable lessons on resilience, community, and the importance of inclusive development policies. It shows how people can survive in extreme conditions and how attention, awareness, and responsible development can transform lives while preserving the dignity of communities. In addition to the physical and social challenges, the cliff village of Atule’er has a rich cultural and historical background. The Yi people, who form the majority of the village population, have preserved many of their traditions, festivals, and rituals despite the isolation.
Life in the cliff village of Atule’er was shaped by the harsh natural environment and the village’s extreme isolation. Farming on steep slopes was difficult, and villagers depended mainly on small-scale agriculture and livestock for survival. Because transportation was limited, selling products or accessing markets was a major challenge, which kept many families in poverty for decades. Electricity and internet access arrived very late, further separating the village from the modern world.
