Page 9 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (99)

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I AM THE GUARDIAN | 我是守护者

Stone Forest 石林

Stories behind needlework

我用刺绣“讲”故事

Bi Yueying is a recognized national inheritor The intricate patterns reside solely within her mind.
he Stone Forest World Natural Heritage of the intangible cultural heritage of Yi embroidery Six decades on, Bi has remained steadfast in her
Site lies in the picturesque Shilin Yi Au- in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Kunming City, commitment to hand embroidery. She firmly believes
that hand embroidery possesses a distinct essence
Yunnan Province. Adorned in hand-embroidered
tonomous County of Kunming, Yunnan. traditional Sani clothing and donning presbyopic that distinguishes it from machine embroidery. Ma-
This breathtaking destination showcases glasses, she demonstrates her exceptional skill as chines lack the ability to infuse human emotions
T a quintessential karst landscape adorned she moistens the thread between her lips and deftly into the intricate stitches. To her, embroidery, crafted
with a multitude of stone peaks, clints, and caves. Adding threads the needle. with a needle and threads, transcends being just an
to the allure of this remarkable region is the rich tradi- It seems that embroidery skills come naturally artwork; it becomes a medium for expressing human
tion of Yi (Sani) embroidery, a folk art widely embraced to Sani women. With just a needle and threads in emotions. With her profound skill and passion, Bi has
within the local Sani community. The integration of these hand, they can embroider a wide array of subjects, established a Yi embroidery studio within the Ashima
spanning from the radiant sun to the serene moon,
tourist town. Here, she imparts her knowledge of em-
two cultural treasures creates a distinctive and enchanting majestic mountains, flowing rivers, vibrant birds, broidery to both local women and tourists, using her
cultural identity for Shilin County. graceful animals, delicate flowers, enchanting own strength to preserve and pass on the rich cultural
insects, and elusive fish. During her childhood, heritage of Yi embroidery.
Bi would often observe her grandmother embroi- In present times, an increasing number of local
dering in the courtyard. Fascinated, Bi spent entire women are embracing and dedicating themselves
days absorbed in the craft, witnessing her grand- to the preservation of this traditional handicraft.
mother’s skilled hands transform cloth into exqui- Within the community of Ashima, folk embroidery
site garments and belts. This ignited a profound artists skillfully weave tales of the Sani people
passion for embroidery within Bi. At the age of 8, through their meticulously crafted stitches. “My
she eagerly sought guidance from her grandmother aspiration is to utilize Sani embroidery techniques
and mother, commencing her lifelong journey of in clothing, dowries, and jewelry, thereby promot-
mastering the art of embroidery. Since then, Bi has ing the invaluable cultural heritage we possess.
never relinquished her embroidery needle. I wish for the art of embroidery to flourish and
Embroidery is a meticulous and demanding evolve with the passing of time. I wish to infuse
craft, where even a single stitch must be executed contemporary tastes into this timeless craft, ensur-
flawlessly. Bi possesses an innate understanding of ing that art comes alive,” said Bi, brimming with
this art form, devoid of the need for a ruler or a pen. hope and anticipation for the future.

Chengjiang Fossil Site 澄江化石地

A date with fossils
我和化石有个约定

At the Chengjiang Fossil Site, paleontologists and make knowledge more accessible within the
he fossilized animals in Chengjiang, dating have unearthed an extraordinary collection of fos- museum. He actively participated in all aspects of
back 530 million years, were unearthed sils that date back over 500 million years. Each museum construction, ensuring that each speci-
fossil discovered at this site serves as a captivating
men displayed at the museum is accompanied by
in 1984. This fossil site has proven to be history book, preserving a record of our past, and informative and easy-to-understand text, guiding
a treasure trove, as archaeologists have Guo Jin is among the devoted guardians of these visitors through the intricate details of early Cam-
T discovered fossils belonging to 16 phyla ancient treasures. brian paleontological evolution. As a result, the
and over 200 species by 2012. The Chengjiang Fossil In 2005, Guo had his first encounter with museum leads the country in both the quality and
Site stands as one of the most awe-inspiring scientific Chengjiang fossils at the Paleontological Labora- presentation of specimens.
findings of the twentieth century, according to the inter- tory of Yunnan University. It was during this time Since its inauguration four years ago, the
national paleontological community. At the Chengjiang that he was astounded by the incredible preserva- museum has welcomed over 2 million visitors
from home and abroad. Witnessing the Chengjiang
tion of soft tissues found within a Chengjiang fos-
Fossil Site Natural History Museum of Yunnan, Deputy sil. Since then, he has been captivated by the allure Fossil Site’s expanding influence fills Guo’s heart
Director Guo Jin has been dedicated to scientific research of Chengjiang fossils. with joy. He holds steadfast to the words of Hou
and conservation efforts pertaining to the Chengjiang Throughout the years, Guo’s unwavering Xianguang, vice president of the International
fossils for an impressive 18 years. pursuit of fossils has led him to explore the field, Palaeontological Association, who emphasized the
conducting extensive research and curating teach- importance of safeguarding these fossils while har-
ing materials. He has made his presence ubiqui- nessing their potential for scientific research and
tous at every corner of the Chengjiang Fossil Site public outreach.
Natural History Museum. In August 2020, after six Guo stresses the link between protecting nat-
years of preparations, the museum finally opened ural heritage and the harmony of humanity and
its doors to the public. Now, visitors have the op- nature. He urges for a stronger focus on fossils,
portunity to witness over 60,000 rare fossilized encouraging individuals to not only recognize their
paleontological specimens, alongside living animal significance but also to engage in studying and ex-
specimens from various corners of the globe. ploring their profound insights. Guo believes that
Guo has devoted significant efforts to enhance these endeavors will enable us to uncover our roots
public understanding of the Chengjiang Fossil Site and shape a better future.