Luo Hongming – Representative Inheritor of Miao Blowing-gun Activity Project in Malipo County, Wenshan

Luo Hongming, born in 1970, is a representative inheritor of the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage project of Blowgun (吹枪) craftsmanship. Since childhood, he learned the blowgun skills from his elders. Luo Hongming has repeatedly achieved excellent results in blowgun competitions. In the 12th Yunnan Provincial Ethnic Games (云南省第十二届民族运动会), he won second place in the men’s standing blowgun competition. Additionally, he has represented Wenshan Prefecture (文山州) in numerous provincial and national competitions, making significant contributions to promoting the blowgun sport.

Inheritance and Promotion

Luo Hongming actively participates in the transmission of blowgun skills. He not only teaches in his hometown, Malin Village (马林村) of Donggan Town (董干镇), but also takes part in many intangible cultural heritage practice activities, showcasing the charm of the blowgun to a broader audience. His cousin, Luo Hongfu (罗洪福), is also a prefecture-level inheritor of the blowgun project. As both competitors and family members, they jointly promote the development of blowgun sports.

Cultural Significance

The blowgun is a traditional sports item of the Miao ethnic group (苗族) with a long history and deep cultural significance. It serves not only as a hunting tool but also plays an essential role in competitions and festivities like the Huashan Festival (花山节). As an inheritor, Luo Hongming has contributed greatly to raising awareness and love for this traditional craft through competitions and teaching, helping to protect and pass on this intangible cultural heritage.

Innovative Transmission Methods of Luo Hongming

Bringing Blowgun Skills into Schools

Luo Hongming actively participates in the “Intangible Cultural Heritage into Schools” (非遗进校园) program, bringing blowgun skills into classrooms. In collaboration with local schools, he regularly teaches students about the history, crafting techniques, and shooting skills of blowguns. This approach allows students to engage closely with blowgun culture and sparks their interest in traditional craftsmanship.

Establishing Training Bases for Systematic Training

A blowgun training base has been established in Malipo County (麻栗坡县), providing a professional training ground for enthusiasts. Here, Luo Hongming and other coaches offer systematic training on basic operations, aiming techniques, and competition rules. Through regular training and competitions, trainees have significantly improved their skills.

Organizing Competitions to Provide Practical Opportunities

Luo Hongming actively organizes various blowgun competitions, ranging from local to provincial and national levels. Through these competitions, young people not only get opportunities to showcase their skills but also learn from other participants, greatly enhancing their technical proficiency. This “learning through competition” model has significantly fueled their enthusiasm for learning.

Integrating Modern Teaching Methods to Improve Learning Outcomes

During his teaching, Luo Hongming integrates modern educational tools such as multimedia presentations to showcase the history and crafting process of blowguns. He also uses live demonstrations and interactive teaching to help students intuitively grasp blowgun techniques. This diversified teaching approach has improved learning outcomes and attracted more young participants.

Cultivating Inheritors and Expanding the Transmission Team

Luo Hongming places great emphasis on cultivating new generations of inheritors. Besides teaching technical skills, he also instills the cultural significance and historical value of blowguns in his students. Through a “master-apprentice” system, he has trained a group of young blowgun enthusiasts, laying a solid foundation for the future transmission of the craft.

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