Yu Nannan – Representative Inheritor of Dai Slow-wheel Pottery Making Skills in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna
Yu Nannan (玉喃囡), born in 1956 in Manyan Village (曼燕村), Mengzhe Town (勐遮镇), Menghai County (勐海县), Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州), is a representative inheritor of Dai slow-wheel pottery making (傣族慢轮制陶技艺). Growing up in a traditional pottery-making family, she mastered the craft in her teens and has become one of the most skilled Dai pottery artisans in Menghai County.
Technical Characteristics
The Art of Slow-wheel Pottery
This ancient technique features:
- Hand-building on slow-turning wheels
- Textured surfaces created with patterned wooden paddles
- Clay mixed with sand for improved workability
The complete process includes:
- Pounding and sifting clay
- Mixing with sand and water
- Installing the turntable
- Coiling and shaping
- Paddling to create patterns
- Drying and firing
Preservation Efforts
Passing the Legacy
As a master artisan, Yu Nannan:
- Maintains authentic traditional methods
- Trains new generations of potters
- Supports the construction of a Slow-wheel Pottery Experience Center
This upcoming center will:
- Exhibit traditional Dai pottery
- Offer hands-on workshops for visitors
- Promote cultural tourism
Recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Dai slow-wheel pottery embodies the Dai people’s cultural memory and aspirations for a beautiful life.
For Chinese version please go to:
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-3153.html
