Belonging

Both Haley and Li-yan struggling with belonging because the author wants to create a thread that will eventually bring the two together.

Li-yan’s lack of belonging begins as a child. She is a very curious child who asks many questions and seems to reject many Akha traditions purely because she does not understand them. One example comes during her mother’s midwifery with Deh-ja and how Li-yan tries to stop the death of the twins, which the tribe considers "human rejects." Her mother slaps her – breaking Akha tradition – to remind Li-yan of her place. Yet, Li-yan still struggles. Things get even worse when she has - and gives up - her child. While only A-ma knows what has happened, the entire family begins to reject Li-yan. Li-yan says, “A-ma stops asking me to accompany her on healing visits. The sisters-in-law, following A-mas’ example, pretend I...