Yin Nong - Representative Inheritor of Dai and Naxi Manual Paper-making Craft Project in Gengma County, Lincang 

Yinong (引弄), a native of Mangtuan Village (芒团村), Mengding Town (孟定镇), Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County (耿马傣族佤族自治县), Lincang City (临沧市), Yunnan Province (云南省), is a provincial-level representative inheritor of intangible cultural heritage. She has dedicated her life to preserving and transmitting the traditional Dai handmade paper technique, often hailed as a “living fossil” of Chinese papermaking.

?️ Hometown of Craft and Family Heritage

Mangtuan Village (芒团村) is one of the core centers for Dai handmade paper, with a history dating back centuries. Records show that since the Ming Dynasty, the village produced paper for local Tusi (土司) administrations, passing down the craft through generations.

Yinong was born into a family of papermakers, with her grandmother, mother, and maternal relatives all skilled in the craft. The family’s papermaking lineage traces back to 1368, and Yinong represents the tenth generation. Following the Dai custom of “passed to daughters, not sons”, she began learning papermaking at age 11 under her mother’s guidance. Despite her small stature, she mastered all processes through determination and passion.

? Mastery and Key Techniques

The ancient Dai papermaking method retains techniques dating back nearly 2,000 years to Cai Lun’s invention of paper. The full process consists of five stages and eleven steps. Through over 40 years of practice, Yinong has achieved exceptional mastery, particularly in these key aspects:

Timing and Heat Control

• Precisely determines the best season for harvesting Broussonetia (Mulberry) bark, the proper ratio of ash for cooking, and the ideal steaming and boiling conditions.

• These steps are crucial for ensuring paper quality, strength, and durability.

The Unique “Pouring Paper” Method

• Unlike conventional “sheet-lifting” methods, Dai papermaking uses a unique pouring technique, allowing pulp to settle naturally in the mold.

• Produces strong, smooth, soft, and bright paper that resists decay and insects.

? Transmission, Development, and Innovation

Yinong is not only a guardian of the craft but also an innovator and teacher.

Mentorship

• Personally trained family members, including her daughter-in-law Aila (艾腊), sister Bing’e (丙娥), and niece-in-law Yubeng (玉崩).

• Guided 23 villagers to master the papermaking process.

Innovation and Market Expansion

• Collaborated with local cultural authorities to develop new products such as Xuan paper, wallpaper, and tea packaging paper.

• Expanded the practical applications and market potential of handmade paper.

Cultural Ambassador

• Actively participates in cultural promotion activities.

• In the 2013 Lincang First Ethnic Folk Song and Dance Festival, her performance of “Paper-Making Ballad” (造纸谣) won the bronze award, highlighting the artistic value of this ancient craft.

? Conclusion

Yinong is a key figure in the preservation of Dai handmade paper, a national intangible cultural heritage. Rooted in Mangtuan Village (芒团村), she combines technical mastery with openness to innovation, ensuring this ancient craft continues to thrive and resonate in contemporary life.