Interview with He Zishen

He Zishen (b.1953) is a resident of Hezhuang Village, Daguo Xiang, Linying County, Luohe City, Henan Province. He recalls that villagers were not allowed to cook at home. Those who did were critized at struggle sessions. Village canteen only supplied thin soup with a few small chucks of yam. Adults tried save the yam for their childre. People ate all sorts of tree leaves, even tree bark. He said that the famine was caused because village cadres had to greatly exaggerate the production. There were a lot of struggle sessions in the villages.

何自申（1953年生）回忆说59年和60年最困难。村民不允许在各自家里开火，开小锅的会被批斗。食堂只有稀汤，里面有几块红薯。大人还尽量省下给孩子们吃。人们吃各种的树叶，连树皮都吃掉了。饥饿是因为干部们虚报产量。村里常开各种批斗会。

Transcripts for this interview and more may be available under the ‘Documents’ link above. 采访抄录和相关内容，请点击查看上面的’Documents’链接。