Zhao Huayou - Artisan of Folk Arts and Crafts in Dayao County, Chuxiong 

Introduction

Zhao Huayou, a male artisan of Yi ethnicity born in 1942, is a resident of Shedian Village, Longjie Township, Dayao County, Chuxiong Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Recognized as a representative inheritor in the second batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage of Yunnan, he is a versatile ​​master of multiple traditional crafts​​ highly respected in his local community.

Artistic Skills and Creative Journey

Zhao Huayou's expertise spans a remarkable range of traditional techniques, each with distinct characteristics and cultural significance:

Clay Sculpture (泥塑)

• ​​Technique​​: Hand-molding clay to create various small animals, classical legendary figures, and deity images
• ​​Cultural Significance​​: These sculptures are primarily used in Taoist temples, local deity temples, and mountain god temples to represent figures like village guardians, mountain gods, and earth deities

Paper Sculpture/Paper Crafts (纸塑/纸糊)

• ​​Technique​​: Crafting realistic human figures and household items using paper
• ​​Purpose​​: These creations serve important roles in local ​​wedding ceremonies, funerals, and ritual activities​​ as ceremonial objects

Pottery (土陶)

• ​​Products​​: Creating and firing pottery items such as "small tile cats" for sale
• ​​Value​​: These pieces combine practical use with decorative appeal, reflecting the ​​traditional lifestyle​​ of the Yi people

Woodcraft (木器)

• ​​Skill​​: Carving window flowers and door decorations from wood
• ​​Application​​: Used to adorn traditional Yi dwellings, demonstrating ​​ethnic aesthetics​​ and cultural identity

Zhao's artistic journey began in childhood when he developed a passion for molding clay animals. He later worked at a local kiln, producing "small tile cats" for sale. As his skills advanced, he began creating figures from classical legends and deities. His expanding interests led him to paper crafts, and eventually, his reputation grew to the point where ​​local villagers regularly sought his paper creations​​ for their ceremonial events.

Cultural Background of Longjie Township

Longjie Township provides a rich cultural environment that has nurtured Zhao Huayou's talents:

Vibrant Ethnic Culture

• Longjie is recognized as one of the birthplaces of the Yi ethnic ​​"Left Foot Dance"​​
• The area is known for its distinctive folk arts including Yi embroidery, clay sculpture, musical instrument making, and Yi-style rice wine brewing
• Local Yi people are renowned for their singing and dancing talents, with "​​Da Tiao​​" (dancing to the music of erhu, Lusheng, flutes, and three-stringed instruments) being a significant cultural activity

Traditional Festival: Prince Festival (太子会)

• The most prominent local celebration occurs on the ​​eighth day of the fourth lunar month​​ each year
• The 2024 festival theme was "Dragon Soars in Prosperous Era - Receiving Dragon's Luck in Longjie in the Year of the Dragon," attracting approximately 50,000 visitors
• Activities include dragon culture short video competitions, left foot dance contests, dragon procession rituals, cultural performances, and creative cultural activities

Cultural Preservation

• Meisi Village in Longjie Town has been designated as a ​​Traditional Ethnic Cultural Protection Zone​​, providing institutional support for preserving local ethnic culture

Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection in Dayao County

Dayao County has established a comprehensive system for protecting intangible cultural heritage:

Protection Framework

• The county has implemented ​​"Regulations on Management and Assessment of Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritors"​​ and ​​"Funding Subsidy Measures for Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritors"​​
• Regular assessments are conducted, with subsidies distributed according to performance levels to encourage inheritors to mentor apprentices and cultivate new talent

Growing Community of Inheritors

• Dayao County currently recognizes ​​66 intangible cultural heritage protection items​​ and ​​256 representative inheritors​​
• This includes 1 national-level inheritor, 8 provincial-level inheritors, 27 prefecture-level inheritors, and 220 county-level inheritors

Financial Support

• Inheritors receive subsidies according to their level of recognition
• For example, provincial-level inheritors in Tanhua Township can receive ​​8,000 RMB annually​​ after training and assessment, while prefecture-level and county-level inheritors receive 3,600 RMB and 600 RMB respectively

Regular Activities

• The Dayao County Culture and Tourism Bureau regularly organizes personnel from the intangible cultural heritage protection center to conduct ​​field assessments and on-site skill demonstrations​​
• These activities cover inheritors across all 12 townships in the county

Other Local Artisans in Longjie

Besides Zhao Huayou, Longjie Township is home to several other notable artisans and cultural inheritors:

• ​​Xie Fuguo​​ (born 1933): A provincial-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor specializing in pottery production who helped establish pottery factories in multiple locations
• ​​Zhao Kaiqin​​: A prefecture-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor specializing in Yi embroidery, who has overcome physical disabilities to master her craft over 20 years
• ​​Xia Ganming​​: A county-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor skilled in folk art and clay sculpture
• ​​He Zhongwu​​: A county-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor who serves as a Bimo (traditional Yi religious practitioner)
• ​​Bi Cuizhi​​: A county-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor specializing in Yi costume production techniques

Conclusion

Zhao Huayou stands as a ​​multifaceted guardian​​ of traditional Yi crafts in Dayao County's Longjie Township. Through his technical mastery and creative practice, he has made significant contributions to ​​preserving and developing​​ Yi ethnic culture. While detailed information about his specific works, inheritance lineage, and apprenticeship activities remains limited in public records, his recognition as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage representative inheritor and his diverse skill set confirm his ​​important position​​ in the local traditional crafts community.