Page 4 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (110)

03 VOICE | 声音

The people and their life are a bonanza for literary and artistic creations, offering inexhaustible inspiration.
——Chinese President Xi Jinping

人民生活中本来就存在着文学艺术原料的矿藏，人民生活是一切文学艺术取之不尽、用之不竭的创作源泉。

——中国国家主席习近平

Dai fruit carving:

Artistry in every detail

一刀一刻“果”真神奇

By Longchuan Integrated Media □ 陇川融媒

In the afternoon, Xiaohuang, a Dai resident concave-convex curves. This mastery has
in Zhangfeng Village, Longchuan County, De- earned it the reputation of colorful, three-di-
hong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, mensional Dai paper-cutting. “Fruit carving
is found intently carving a watermelon in her isn’t just about making a few random cuts,”
home. With a delicate turn of her knife, a life- Xiaohuang explained with a smile. “Every
like peony “blooms” on its surface. She is an cut must be steady, precise, and light; even a
inheritor of the Dai fruit carving technique, an slight slip can mar the fruit’s integrity.”
intangible cultural heritage from Longchuan Xiaohuang recounted falling in love with
County, Dehong Prefecture. this craft the moment she first witnessed vil-
Dai fruit carving is a significant part of Dai lage elders transforming fruits into artworks
traditional culture, with origins tracing back during a festive event. “Every three to five
hundreds of years. At traditional festivals like days, I pick a few watermelons and pumpkins
the annual Water Splashing Festival, exquisite to practice,” she said. “Watching these fruits
fruit carvings become eye-catching attrac- blossom into intricate flowers and art pieces
tions. In 2017, Dai fruit carving was included through carving is truly magical.”
in the fourth Yunnan Provincial Intangible “Whether for major village and town
Cultural Heritage List. Without blueprints or events, like the Water Splashing Festival, or
samples, the Dai people, relying solely on smaller banquets, my fruit carving is often
their imagination, skillful hands, and a small requested. I also frequently participate in
knife, can transform ordinary fruits and veg- fruit carving competitions and consistently
etables into exquisite handicrafts. Adorned achieve high rankings,” Xiaohuang happily
with various auspicious patterns, these carved shared. She added that her fruit carvings, dis-
fruits express the Dai people’s longing for a played at these festive occasions, have proven
beautiful life, showcasing their wisdom, artis- highly popular with tourists, significantly
tic talent, and rich imagination. contributing to broader public awareness and
Dai fruit carving predominantly features appreciation of the art form. Xiaohuang is
patterns of flowers, leaves, peacocks, and oth- also regularly invited to teach fruit carving
er birds. The intricate techniques involve vari- techniques, actively ensuring this intangible
ous textures, including parallel diagonal lines, cultural heritage is both loved and preserved
curved serrated patterns, circular designs, and for future generations.