Handicraftsman gives life to palm leaves

A rabbit and red-crowned crane made by Cao Guihua using palm fibers. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

The craft of palm fiber weaving, which originated in the Three Kingdoms (220-280), has a history that spans more than 1,700 years in China. In 2011, it was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Cao Guihua is an experienced palm fiber weaving craftsman in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province. Influenced by his family, Cao took a fancy to palm fiber weaving when he was a child and chose to follow the craft throughout his life.

Almost of the palm fiber weaving works by Cao are animals, for which it can be difficult to produce a dynamic feeling. To make more vivid palm fiber animals, Cao usually observes the animals that he wants to weave first, makes a framework using iron wires, determines his ways of weaving, and then uses palm fibers to finish the work.

Cao weaves an animal using palm fibers. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

Unlike other weaving craftsmen who prefer colored ribbons, Cao still insists on the traditional palm leaves, even though palm fiber-made articles can only be kept for a relatively short time.

To make his palm fiber weaving articles last longer, Cao boils the fresh palm leaves, lets them air dry and then uses them to weave articles that can be preserved for more than 10 years.

In recent years, Cao has made some innovations and improvements on his handiworks to attract more people, especially youngsters, and promoted the craft by offering classes in local schools.