Zhou Shaoming - Artisan of Zhizha Paper Art in Yao'an County, Chuxiong

Basic Background and Learning Journey

​​Zhou Shaoming (周绍明)​​, an ​​ethnic Yi man (彝族男性)​​ born in ​​1949 (1949年)​​ in ​​Dacun, Shizhong Village, Shizhong Township, Yao’an County, Chuxiong Prefecture, Yunnan Province (云南省楚雄州姚安县适中乡适中村公所大村)​​, is a ​​second batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage representative inheritor (第二批省级非物质文化遗产代表性传承人)​​. Renowned for his mastery of ​​paper effigy craftsmanship (纸扎技艺)​​ and unique ​​rice sculpture (米饭塑)​​, he has dedicated his life to preserving Yi cultural traditions, particularly by crafting performance props like qilin (麒麟, kylin) for local Lunar New Year lantern parades. A self-taught artist, his journey exemplifies the resilience of folk craftsmanship in modern times.

Learning Journey: A Path of Self-Discovery and Folk Inspiration

Zhou’s artistic path was shaped by rural life and spontaneous creativity:

• ​​Early Artistic Stirrings​​: From childhood, he showed a penchant for folk art, crafting small clay animals—a foundation that later fueled his paper effigy and rice sculpture skills.
• ​​Rice Sculpture Genesis​​: Inspired by the traditional Lunar New Year custom of pounding glutinous rice cakes (er bai), he began experimenting with shaping steamed rice dough into animal figures, refining his technique through observation and practice.
• ​​Paper Effigy Mastery​​: Concurrently, he learned paper effigy crafting, specializing in creating qilin and other props for the Yi community’s Spring Festival lantern troupes. His lack of formal apprenticeship underscores the "self-taught" ethos of many folk artists, relying instead on trial, error, and immersion in local traditions.

Artistic Characteristics and Technical Mastery

Zhou’s craft blends technical precision, cultural symbolism, and rustic charm:

Paper Effigy Craftsmanship: Precision and Festive Vitality

• ​​Materials and Process​​: Using locally sourced bamboo strips for skeletons and rice paper/silk for covering, Zhou follows a six-step process: design, material selection, bamboo bending, binding, paper pasting, and painting. His qilin props, crafted for lantern troupes, are celebrated for their lifelike motion and intricate details.
• ​​Artistic Flair​​: His works, including lions, dragons, and mythical beasts, feature vibrant colors and dynamic postures, reflecting Yi aesthetic preferences for bold, celebratory imagery.

Rice Sculpture: A Rustic Art of Imperfection

• ​​Technique​​: Using steamed glutinous rice dough (colored with natural pigments), Zhou sculpts animals through kneading, pinching, and carving. His "seven parts sculpting, three parts painting" approach emphasizes raw, unpolished charm, with "coarse and fine" textures coexisting.
• ​​Cultural Role​​: These sculptures, often of local wildlife (cattle, horses, birds), serve as both art and ritual objects, embodying Yi reverence for nature and daily life.

Cultural Contributions and Legacy

Safeguarding Yi Folk Crafts

As a provincial inheritor, Zhou has preserved two endangered Yi traditions:

• ​​Paper Effigy​​: Once central to Yi rituals and festivals, this craft was fading until Zhou’s dedication revived interest, ensuring its transmission.
• ​​Rice Sculpture​​: A near-lost art, his practice has reintroduced it to younger generations, linking past and present.

Nurturing Community Identity

His works—qilin for lantern parades, rice animals for home altars—strengthen Yi cultural pride. As a self-taught master, he embodies the "grassroots guardian" spirit, proving that cultural heritage thrives outside formal institutions.

Cultural Context of Yao’an’s Yi Crafts

Historical Roots

Yao’an, known as the "Hometown of Lanterns and Birthplace of Meige (梅葛, a Yi epic)," boasts a rich Yi cultural tapestry. Zhou’s craft, rooted in this soil, draws from local traditions like lantern parades and harvest rituals, reflecting the county’s identity as a cultural crossroads.

Challenges and Preservation

Challenges

• ​​Aging Artisans​​: Few young people master the labor-intensive techniques.
• ​​Modern Pressures​​: Machine-made props and shifting lifestyles reduce demand.

Protective Efforts

• ​​Policy Support​​: Zhou’s provincial recognition and Yao’an’s "intangible heritage + tourism" initiatives provide institutional backing.
• ​​Community Engagement​​: Local "intangible heritage into schools" programs and lantern festivals keep his craft visible.

Conclusion

Zhou Shaoming is more than a craftsman—he is a ​​living archive of Yi culture (彝族文化的活态档案)​​. His hands, calloused by rice dough and bamboo, have woven tradition into every qilin and rice animal. Through quiet persistence, he ensures Yao’an’s Yi folk crafts endure, bridging generations and celebrating the beauty of unwritten heritage.To learn more, contact the ​​Yao’an County Culture and Tourism Bureau (姚安县文化和旅游局)​​ or visit Shizhong Township to witness Zhou’s craft and the vibrant culture of Yi paper effigies and rice sculpture.