In the picturesque town of Sansui, located in Guizhou Province, which is recognized as a homeland of folk culture and arts in China, bamboo weaving heritage practitioner Yang Dujuan sits at a table adorned with bamboo strips. With remarkable skill, she intertwines a green bamboo strip and a natural-colored one into a circular design, embellishing the center with a white pearl. Before long, an elegant yet understated pair of bamboo earrings comes to life at her fingertips.

“By merging traditional bamboo weaving with modern accessories, the natural charm can be encapsulated in a small space,” Yang shares. She emphasizes that bamboo strips are flexible, and even a simple wrap can yield striking designs. The earrings she crafts offer a refreshing take on contemporary style.

As she weaves, Yang takes a sip from a bamboo thermos cup beside her, drawing attention to its intricate design that features cloisonné enamel work. The glossy bamboo strips have joints that are flawlessly concealed, creating a harmonious blend that embodies the essence of Chinese aesthetic values.

“In the past, bamboo products primarily served agricultural purposes, but now our weaving techniques are catching up with modern trends, even exporting to countries like Japan,” Yang notes, revealing that traditional bamboo weaving has found its way into contemporary lifestyles, bringing a fresh twist to ancient practices.

The history of bamboo weaving in Sansui traces back to the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, and it was officially recognized as a provincial intangible cultural heritage in 2007. Born in the 1980s in Jiepai Village, Sansui County, Yang hails from a lineage deeply rooted in bamboo craftsmanship, where families have relied on this artistry for generations, producing items like baskets and bamboo traps.

In 2014, Yang returned home to launch her bamboo weaving workshop, starting with basic items such as baskets and gradually expanding her repertoire to include porcelain bamboo products, bamboo lamps, art, incense burners, and various jewelry. Over the past decade, she has developed thousands of bamboo creations, primarily focusing on home décor.

Though her bamboo products may appear simple, the process is intricate. From harvesting the bamboo to crafting the final product, there are over twenty steps involved, with bamboo strips ranging from 0.01 to 0.2 millimeters in thickness—the finest being as delicate as human hair—all meticulously crafted by hand.

Recently, Yang has ventured into creating bamboo accessories like earrings, hairpins, brooches, and collar clips. “During one exhibition, I wore silver earrings that became uncomfortable by the end of the day, which sparked the idea: why not create bamboo earrings that are both lightweight and visually appealing?”

To create the perfect pair, Yang chose the shinier varieties of bamboo and experimented with different weaving techniques and shapes. “I’ve tried various thicknesses of bamboo strips and realized that using older bamboo would lead to breakage. So I experimented with bamboo of different ages and thicknesses,” she explains.

Many of the bamboo accessories she has developed pair beautifully with qipaos, modern Chinese attire, and everyday outfits, showcasing the unique elegance of bamboo. Yang believes that bamboo weaving, when complemented with beading and wax-dyeing, creates distinctive fashion items that represent a fresh perspective on Eastern beauty.

Currently, Yang’s workshop provides year-round employment for over fifty women. Looking ahead, she plans to introduce “bamboo weaving kits” that will include materials and step-by-step instructions, enabling buyers to create products like bamboo lamps, clocks, and lanterns at home.

In Yang’s view, bamboo weaving is an ancient and enchanting craft. Amid the stress of urban life, she advocates for bamboo crafting as a means of relaxation while simultaneously raising awareness of this endangered art form, making cultural heritage more accessible to the public.