Millennium-old folk craft preserved in Xinjiang

Urziashim Usur is never happier than when he is making traditional Xinjiang stamped cloth with his family.

As a member of staff at the cultural center in Yengisar county, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, the 58-year-old undertakes traditional cloth stamping, a 1,000-year-old intangible cultural heritage.

People in Xinjiang have been making stamped cloth for centuries, using homemade wooden stamps to print patterns, such as flowers, onto white fabric.

However, the tradition is dying as a result of the rise of machine-made textiles.

"Traditional stamped cloth is not used as widely as before because cheap machine-made fabrics are gaining popularity in the market, but it still has its own charm," Urziashim said.

A number of plants are used as dyes in traditional cloth-stamping, including pomegranate and lotus, which prevents the patterns from fading for decades, he added.

Urziashim has sought and bought more than 200 centuries-old stamps from across Xinjiang in an attempt to preserve the cultural heritage.

"I bought them for 50 yuan ($7.50) each from peasants who were not aware of their cultural and historical value," he said. "It is sad to see the traditional culture dying."

Urziashim used to teach apprentices how to produce the stamped cloth, but they stopped making it because it was not profitable.

"Young people do not understand the value of traditional stamped cloth, and some even consider it outdated," he said.

His wife, Anaguri Musa, 51, has become his latest apprentice, helping him to preserve and improve the traditional art form.

"Making the stamped cloth was very interesting, and it was amazing to make these beautiful centuries-old patterns re-emerge on cloth with my own hands," she said.

The couple's youngest daughter, Aranur Urziashim, also studies the craft with her father.

"Traditional stamped cloth is a valuable heritage that should not disappear in my generation," the 15-year-old said.

In 2006, traditional Xinjiang stamped cloth was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage. Last year, Urziashim was granted the title of "inheritor" of the traditional stamped cloth.

"The support of my family and the government gives me the strength and confidence to protect this traditional craft," he said.

Xinhua

(China Daily 04/16/2019 page5)