In the town of Sansui County, Guizhou, known as the “Hometown of Chinese Folk Culture and Arts,” we had the opportunity to sit down with Yang Dujuan, an inheritor of the bamboo weaving craft. Surrounded by a spread of bamboo strips on her table, Yang skillfully intertwined a greenish bamboo strip with a natural-colored one, elegantly embellishing the center with a white pearl. In no time, a simple yet exquisite pair of bamboo earrings had blossomed under her fingertips.
“Combining traditional bamboo weaving with modern accessories allows the timeless charm of the craft to shine in small pieces,” Yang explained. She highlighted the flexibility of bamboo strips, stating that a simple intertwining design can create a striking impact, making bamboo earrings truly eye-catching.
As we chatted, Yang paused to take a sip from a bamboo-insulated cup, which featured an intricate cloisonné enamel design. The glossy bamboo strips were meticulously crafted, showing a seamless blend of tradition and modern aesthetics.
“Historically, bamboo products were primarily utilitarian tools, but now, bamboo weaving has evolved to embrace contemporary trends, even reaching markets in Japan,” Yang admitted. She pointed out that incorporating bamboo craftsmanship into modern life reveals its adaptability rather than its outdatedness.
The bamboo weaving tradition in Sansui dates back to the late Ming and early Qing dynasties and was recognized as part of Guizhou’s intangible cultural heritage in 2007. Yang, a millennial from the village of Jiepai in the well-known “Bamboo Forest Village,” grew up in a family that relied on bamboo weaving for generations, creating everything from baskets to cages.
In 2014, Yang returned to her hometown to start her own bamboo weaving workshop. Initially focused on baskets and containers, her business has since expanded to include porcelain-inlaid bamboo designs, bamboo lighting fixtures, artworks, incense holders, and various accessories. Over the past decade, she has developed thousands of bamboo products, predominantly aimed at home living.
While Yang’s bamboo creations may appear simple, the process is quite complex, requiring over twenty steps from harvesting the bamboo to finishing the product. The thickness of the bamboo strips ranges from 0.01 to 0.2 millimeters, with the thinnest being as delicate as a human hair, all crafted by hand.
Recently, Yang has introduced new bamboo products like earrings, hairpins, brooches, and collar clips. She recalls an event where she wore silver earrings that caused discomfort, prompting her to ponder why she couldn’t create lightweight and beautiful bamboo earrings instead.
To achieve her desired designs, Yang carefully selected the best glossy water bamboo strips and considered various weaving techniques and bamboo ages. “I tried different thicknesses of bamboo strips initially using older bamboo, but they tended to break easily, so I switched to younger bamboo strips,” she explained.
Yang believes her range of bamboo accessories pairs seamlessly with qipaos, new-style Chinese apparel, and everyday clothing, showcasing the elegance of bamboo. By fusing bamboo weaving with materials like beads and batik, she has created unique fashion items that embody a distinctive Eastern charm.
Currently, Yang’s bamboo workshop employs over 50 women throughout the year. Looking ahead, she plans to introduce bamboo crafting kits that include materials and step-by-step instructions, allowing customers to create their own bamboo lamps, clocks, lanterns, and more at home.
In Yang’s view, bamboo weaving is an ancient yet magical art form. With the pressures faced by many young urbanites today, engaging in bamboo crafting not only helps alleviate stress but also promotes the understanding and appreciation of this traditional craft, bringing intangible cultural heritage into everyday life.
