The construction technique of wood architecture of Dong Nationality

The name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Dong wooden architecture construction skills

Applicant: Liuzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Project No.: 380

Project No.: VIII - 30

Time of publication: 2006 (the first batch)

Category: traditional art

Region: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Type: new item

Applicant: Liuzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Protection unit: Liuzhou Mass Art Museum

Brief introduction to the construction techniques of Dong wooden architecture:

Applicant: Liuzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Dong wooden architecture construction technology is the most outstanding form of traditional folk culture in Sanjiang County, Guangxi. During the period of the Three Kingdoms, the ancestors of the Dong nationality gradually formed the wooden construction techniques by "building blocks on trees, which were called Ganlan". The wooden buildings of Dong Nationality in Sanjiang are represented by Fengyu bridge and Drum Tower. They are not only beautiful in appearance, but also unique in workmanship. The whole building is connected by mortise and tenon instead of an iron nail. The structure is firm and the joint is meticulous. It has high craft and artistic value.

The drum tower, also known as "Luohan tower", is a tower shaped "one corner tower" built by burying huge wood as the central column. Standing in the Dong village, it stands in the sky and becomes the spiritual symbol of the Dong family. The Fengyu bridge lies across the river. In the concept of the Dong people, it is a "bridge of life" connecting Yin and Yang and a "blessing bridge" protecting the village and receiving wealth. Therefore, it is not spared in carving and decorating, making it a magnificent and splendid combination of pavilions, towers, corridors and bridges. All kinds of patterns on buildings and bridges and carved beams and painted buildings embody the Dong People's good wishes and aesthetic pursuit for good weather and good harvest.

Dong people are born artists, and folk craftsmen have excellent architectural skills. When they build buildings, bridges and dwellings, they don't need a single drawing. They are familiar with the whole structure. They can make buildings and bridges with different styles and beautiful shapes with simple bamboo sticks as the ruler, unique "ink master's text" as the design label, and ordinary carpenter's tools and wood. The design is exquisite and the shape is beautiful.

It is worrisome that at present, due to the lack of successors of the Dong construction craftsmen, the lack of wood sources, and the extremely weak fire prevention ability of the wood construction, it is easy to damage and difficult to regenerate, so there is a continuing crisis in the Dong wood construction and related techniques. Only by strengthening the rescue and protection work, can the wonderful wood construction skills of Dong people be inherited from generation to generation.