Preserving Cultural Heritage in Filigree Silver Handicraft

Project Needs:
The Miao are one of the 56 official ethnic groups in China and are known for their handmade unique silver ornaments, which they wear to ward off evil or for attracting good fortune. With over 400 years of history and was listed as a Chinese national intangible cultural heritage in 2006, the traditional craftsmanship of Miao silver is the living expressions of creativity, skills, and knowledge passed down through generations. The silver handicrafts are not merely object or artifacts, but they reflect the cultural values, belief, way of life, history and the diverse identities of the Miao ethnic group. However, due to industrial production of silver handicraft in the market, a decrease in the market demand for traditional Miao silver, as well as a growing number of young Miao people moving to the cities to pursue higher incomes, the inheritance of Miao silver craftsmanship is encountering difficulties. Kongbai village is a famous silversmith village in Leishan County, with many villagers knowing how to forge silver jewelry, but ironically, not many of them actually stay in the village. Furthermore, despite the artistic
appearance of the Miao silver, the complex design and techniques are becoming less suitable to modern lifestyle and hard to compete with the fast-paced commercial industries. It is important to preserve the craftmanship since the handicraft not only serve as cultural identity for the Miao, but also have education value in teaching the younger generations about history, culture, and traditional skills. The handcrafts also have significant economic potential in sustainable cultural tourism and can act as a bridge in cultural exchanges, fostering understanding and appreciation between different culture.

Project Aims:
• Promote, preserve, and sustain Miao silver craftsmanship: It is important to ensure the skills and technique of silver filigree, as well as the history of the craftsmanship can be passed down to the next generation by documenting and researching the techniques, stories, and cultural significance of the craft.
• Aid in the sustainable development of rural village through cultural tourism
empowerment: Cultural tours/workshops with Chinese and English guides/handbook
will be designed and created by participants to help the transmission of Miao culture
and silver filigree skills, allowing locals to better share with future visitors.
• Encourage the international exchange of ideas/stories/history/etc from different
countries to generate new innovative silver designs that are practical and adaptive of
the modern world, but still retain the Miao traditional characteristics and essence.

Work/Activities:
• In-depth hands-on learning and practice of filigree silver crafts
– Technique Learning: Under the guidance of the local experienced teacher,
participants will learn the core skills of silver smelting, wire drawing, filigree, wielding, etc. and make a traditional Miao silver jewelry (ex. earring).
Participants will help record, take pictures, and document the whole production
process so that the craft will be able to be past to future generations.
– Innovative design: After learning the techniques of filigree silver, participants’
creativity are pull together to create 3 new jewelry designs that will incorporate both traditional Miao totem elements, as well as modern international concepts.
The new designs will be shared and discussed with the local villagers and may be used for charity sale, promoting local cultural heritage and/or supporting
sustainable village development.

• Development of Chinese and English cultural tour guides in promoting the silver craft and the local village culture/history. Participants will assist by:
– Researching village handicrafts, folklore, history, and natural/scenic landscapes
– Planning/designing one-day or half-day cultural/eco-tour routes of the village
– Production of the tour guides
– Writing Chinese and English descriptions/introductions of scenic spots,
folklores, silver handicrafts of the village
– Taking pictures or drawing illustrations to help promote the village
culture/history/handicraft

• Cultural exchange with local villagers and other participants
– Cultural Night will be organized to share with local villagers and participants
about the different country’s culture (language, music, food, handicraft, etc)
– Create and share videos of the village and on silver pedigree on social media to
share with the world and to increase public awareness about their importance.