Shi Mading - Inheritor of Jingpo Textile Craft in Longchuan County, Dehong 

Shi Mati: A Master of Jingpo Textile Artistry (景颇族织锦技艺传承人——石玛丁)

Basic Background and Learning Journey

​​Shi Mati (石玛丁)​​, a ​​Jingpo ethnic woman (景颇族)​​ born in ​​1960 (1960年)​​ in ​​Longchuan County, Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan Province (云南省德宏州陇川县)​​, is the ​​second batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage representative inheritors (第二批省级非物质文化遗产代表性传承人)​​ for ​​Jingpo textile techniques (景颇族纺织技艺)​​. Her remarkable journey in traditional arts unfolds through distinct phases:

Growth Stages and Key Achievements

Note: There are two recorded locations for her residence - "Guangchu Village, Qingping Township, Longchuan County (陇川县清平乡广处村)" and "Bapianshangzhai, Hanzhen Village, Jinghan Town, Longchuan County (陇川县景罕镇罕等村霸片上寨)" - possibly due to relocation or administrative division adjustments.

Artistic Characteristics and Representative Works

Technical Features and Style

Shi Mati's artistic achievements primarily manifest in ​​Jingpo textile techniques (景颇族织锦技艺)​​, with her works exhibiting distinctive ethnic characteristics and personal style:

Pattern Diversity

• Masters over ​​300 different patterns​​, skillfully applying them in her creations
• Creates exquisitely patterned textiles that blend traditional ethnic elements with modern fashion aesthetics
• Excels at incorporating natural elements like mountains, plants, birds, and animals into her designs, with pieces described as having "the spirit of mountains and the soul of objects"

Color Application

• Utilizes a primary color palette of ​​black, red, and white​​, accented with blue-black, purple, pink, and other colors
• Creates striking contrasts with vibrant yet tasteful combinations
• Embodies the Jingpo textile aesthetic of "resplendent colors, rich texture, bold yet elegant, vibrant yet refined"

Technical Mastery

• Employs ancient ​​backstrap loom technology (腰织机技术)​​, involving a complex process from cotton spinning to final weaving
• Demonstrates exceptional skill and dexterity, described as "like a general commanding an army or a conductor leading an orchestra"

Representative Works and Market Impact

Shi Mati creates diverse textile products with significant cultural and market value:

Her creations have gained high recognition in the market:

• ​​Official gifts​​: Her textiles are among the items presented to distinguished guests visiting ​​Longchuan County (陇川县)​​
• ​​Tourist souvenirs​​: Particularly her ​​pouches (筒帕)​​ are popular with visitors
• ​​Commissioned works​​: Local authorities and organizations frequently order her pieces as official gifts
• ​​Cultural documentation​​: Her work has been featured in "Stories on Fingertips – Interviews with Yunnan Folk Craft Masters" (《指尖上的故事 —— 云南民族民间工艺大师访谈录》)

Notably, she has embraced innovation:

• ​​Modern technology​​: Some villages now use fully automatic looms producing up to 230,000 stitches per day, greatly increasing efficiency
• ​​E-commerce​​: Her cooperative has developed online sales channels, combining traditional crafts with modern marketing

Heritage Preservation and Cultural Contributions (传承情况与文化贡献)

Teaching and Apprenticeship

As a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor, Shi Mati bears significant responsibility for transmitting Jingpo textile traditions:

Teaching Approach

• ​​Family lineage​​: Learned primarily from her mother through traditional family transmission
• ​​Cooperative teaching​​: Established a handicraft cooperative teaching weaving skills to village women
• ​​Hands-on instruction​​: Provides "hands-on" traditional teaching, sharing techniques without reservation
• ​​Comprehensive education​​: Teaches not only weaving skills but also Jingpo cultural knowledge and artistic concepts

Community Impact

• ​​Employment creation​​: Her ​​"Longchuan County Shimating Handicraft Professional Cooperative (陇川县石麻丁手工艺品专业合作社)"​​ employs over ​​600 part-time workers​​, generating annual sales of ​​over 100,000 RMB (10余万元)​​
• ​​Lifestyle transformation​​: Changed local women's daily activities from playing mahjong to engaging in productive craftwork
• ​​Skill training​​: Conducted workshops in 2022 focusing on practical skills for making Jingpo textile accessories, with award systems to motivate learners

Cultural Contributions

Shi Mati's contributions to Jingpo culture are multifaceted:

Cultural Protection

• Collects, preserves, and protects traditional Jingpo textile techniques
• Maintains the authentic essence of Jingpo weaving through her practice
• Her recognition as a provincial-level inheritor enhances the status and influence of Jingpo textile culture

Cultural Transmission

• Trains successors to continue the Jingpo textile tradition
• Shares her skills and experience generously, promoting cultural continuity
• Plays a vital role in maintaining the Jingpo cultural heritage chain

Cultural Innovation

• Innovates within traditional frameworks, creating works that blend traditional and modern elements
• Explores online sales channels, combining traditional crafts with modern marketing
• Makes Jingpo textiles relevant to contemporary markets while preserving cultural authenticity

Government Support and Protective Measures (政府支持与保护措施)

Policy and Financial Support

The ​​Dehong Prefecture (德宏州)​​ and ​​Longchuan County (陇川县)​​ governments provide comprehensive support:

Funding

• ​​Annual special funds​​: Prefecture level allocates no less than ​​1 million RMB (100万元)​​, county level no less than ​​300,000 RMB (30万元)​​ for intangible cultural heritage protection
• ​​Inheritor subsidies​​: National-level inheritors receive ​​20,000 RMB/year (2万元/年/人)​​, provincial-level ​​8,000 RMB/year (0.8万元/年/人)​​, prefectural-level ​​2,000 RMB/year (0.2万元/年/人)​​

Legal Framework

• The "Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Regulations (《德宏傣族景颇族自治州非物质文化遗产保护条例》)"establishes dedicated protection funds
• Provides support for entities utilizing intangible cultural heritage projects
• Implements memory protection for disappearing heritage items

Platforms and Activities

Infrastructure

• Maintains comprehensive records of intangible cultural heritage items and inheritors
• Organizes evaluations and management services for inheritors

Promotion

• Hosts exhibitions showcasing Jingpo textiles during festivals
• Organizes traditional craft demonstrations featuring Jingpo costumes and instruments

Innovation Support

• Facilitates integration of traditional crafts with tourism development
• Supports digital design and production innovations

Cultural Context of Jingpo Textile Techniques (景颇族纺织技艺的文化背景)

Historical Significance

• Originating from the ​​Jingpo ethnic group (景颇族)​​, with roots in the ​​Tibeto-Burman ethnic group (古代氐羌支系)​​
• Weaving techniques date back thousands of years
• Creation myths document the origins of textile craftsmanship

Cultural Importance

• A Jingpo proverb states: "A man who cannot wield a sword cannot travel far; a woman who cannot weave a tube skirt cannot marry" highlighting the skill's significance
• Integral to traditional attire and cultural expression
• Patterns serve as visual histories documenting Jingpo life and philosophy

Social Functions

• Serves important social purposes as gift items
• Different designs for various ages, occasions, regions, and social statuses
• Includes both utilitarian and decorative bags for different purposes
• Represents both material culture and spiritual expression

Challenges and Opportunities (传承现状与发展趋势)

Challenges

• Complex techniques with lengthy production times
• Declining interest among youth
• Limited market demand in modern society
• Aging population of master artisans

Opportunities

• Increased government support and funding
• Integration with tourism and creative industries
• Technological advancements improving efficiency
• E-commerce expanding market reach

Innovative Approaches

• Combining traditional methods with modern design
• Developing cultural products for contemporary consumers
• Implementing educational programs to engage youth

Shi Mati, as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor from ​​Longchuan County, Dehong Prefecture (德宏州陇川县)​​, has dedicated decades to preserving and promoting ​​Jingpo textile traditions (景颇族纺织技艺)​​. Her work not only safeguards this precious cultural heritage but also contributes significantly to ​​rural revitalization (乡村振兴)​​ by creating economic opportunities. Her textiles beautifully blend tradition with modernity, maintaining authentic ethnic characteristics while incorporating contemporary elements. Through her cooperative, she has created a sustainable model that preserves cultural heritage while generating income for local women, achieving a win-win for both cultural preservation and economic development.For more detailed information about Shi Mati's latest works and innovations, it is recommended to contact the ​​Longchuan County Culture and Tourism Bureau (陇川县文化和旅游局)​​ or local intangible cultural heritage protection centers.