Ge Rong – Inheritor of Tibetan Wooden Bowl-making Craft in Deqin County, Diqing

Gerong (格荣) is a recognized inheritor of the traditional Tibetan wooden bowl-making craft from Benzilan Town (奔子栏镇) in Deqin County (德钦县), Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州). He has inherited this ancient and exquisite craftsmanship and has actively worked to preserve and promote it.

Artistic Journey

Gerong was born into a family renowned for wooden bowl making in Benzilan Town (奔子栏镇). From an early age, he developed a strong interest in the craft. He learned the traditional techniques from his elders and, through years of hands-on practice, mastered the entire process—from selecting the raw materials to completing the finished bowls.

Promotion and Transmission

Mentoring Apprentices

Gerong actively takes on apprentices and has nurtured a new generation of young craftsmen. He not only teaches skills within the village but also organizes training sessions to attract more people interested in learning Tibetan wooden bowl-making techniques.

Cultural Activities

Gerong frequently participates in various cultural events, showcasing the charm of Tibetan wooden bowls. He has demonstrated the bowl-making process at numerous local ethnic cultural festivals, drawing attention from tourists and scholars alike.

Intangible Heritage Protection

Benzilan Town (奔子栏镇) is known as the “Hometown of Wooden Bowls” due to its long history of woodcraft. As a key inheritor, Gerong has contributed significantly to the preservation and transmission of wooden bowl-making techniques through his personal efforts.

Craftsmanship Features

The wooden bowls made by Gerong strictly follow traditional craftsmanship. The process includes more than twenty steps, from selecting materials to finishing the product. He typically uses traditional knots formed from the roots or trunks of specific trees. The resulting bowls are known for their hardness, beautiful grain, resistance to heat, and preservation of original flavors.

During the final stages, he uses natural earth lacquer (天然土漆) for coating. After painting, the bowls are left to air-dry in a specially designed underground cellar, preserving their quality and durability.

Social and Economic Value

Under Gerong’s leadership, the wooden bowl industry in Benzilan Town (奔子栏镇) has seen significant growth. Currently, there are over 150 workshops engaged in woodcraft production and sales, employing more than 800 people. These Tibetan wooden bowls are not only popular in domestic markets but are also exported to countries such as India and Nepal.

Through mentoring apprentices, participating in cultural activities, and contributing to intangible heritage preservation, Gerong has successfully carried forward and revitalized the Tibetan wooden bowl-making craft, making a lasting contribution to the protection and development of this cultural tradition.

For Chinese version please go to:
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-3336.html