Birch bark making technique

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: birch bark making techniques

Declaration area or unit: Heilongjiang Province

Project No.: 433

Project No.: VIII - 83

Time of publication: 2006 (the first batch)

Category: traditional art

Region: Heilongjiang Province

Type: new item

Declaration area or unit: Heilongjiang Province

Protection unit: Raohe County Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center

Birch bark production technology introduction:

Declaration area or unit: Heilongjiang Province

Birch bark making technique is a unique handicraft of northern hunting ethnic groups in China, which has strong national characteristics and regional characteristics. This technique has been spread in Inner Mongolia Oroqen Autonomous Banner, Ewenki Autonomous Banner, Molidawa Daur Autonomous Banner, Erguna Left Banner (Genhe City) and Heilongjiang Basin.

Ancient northern nomadic peoples such as Donghu, Xiongnu, Xianbei, Qidan and Nuzhen all had pottery making history, while Oroqen, Ewenki, Daur and Mongolia had no pottery making history. Birch bark vessels created by Oroqen, Ewenki and Daur have replaced pottery and porcelain in production and life, reflecting the cultural characteristics of forest hunting people.

Birch bark has good waterproof and anti-corrosion properties. The utensils made of birch bark are light, easy to carry and not easy to break. It is a favorite production tool and daily necessities for hunting people. It has various forms and shapes, mainly including boats, baskets, boxes, boxes, bowls and so on. These utensils are made of birch bark with animal tendons and horsetail ropes. They are engraved with various patterns and patterns. They are not only important utensils, but also exquisite works of art.

The traditional birch bark processing technology has four steps: first, peel the bark; second, soak or boil the bark; third, cut and sew; fourth, decorative patterns. The decoration techniques include smashing and pasting. All nationalities decorate Birch Bark products with figures symbolizing auspiciousness, festivity, peace and bumper harvest.

With the development of society, great changes have taken place in the way of production and life of the hunting people. The hunting culture has gradually declined, and the birch bark production technology has gradually declined. In view of the extremely important significance of protecting this art, we should formulate measures and put them into practice as soon as possible.