He Qiankun (和乾坤), male, of Tibetan ethnicity, was born in 1964 in Yingduwan (英都湾), Tacheng Village (塔城村), Tacheng Town (塔城乡), Weixi County (维西县), Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州), Yunnan Province. He is a renowned artisan of Tibetan-style metal jewelry in the local area. In 2002, he was officially recognized by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture as a representative inheritor of the second batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage projects.
Journey of Learning the Craft
He Qiankun was born into a family of Tibetan-style jewelry makers. His grandfather, Dawa (达瓦), was the sixth-generation inheritor of this traditional family craft. Influenced by his grandfather from an early age, He Qiankun developed a strong interest in Tibetan jewelry-making. After graduating from junior high school, he began to inherit the traditional skills under his grandfather’s careful guidance. Through rigorous study and practice, he fully mastered the art of Tibetan jewelry-making, including all steps such as forging, wire drawing, and soldering.
Craftsmanship Features
He Qiankun’s Tibetan silver jewelry is known for its exquisite craftsmanship. Each piece reflects his deep understanding of traditional techniques and his innovative integration of modern design. In addition to making common items such as earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, he also creates more intricate pieces like “Gawu” (嘎乌, amulet cases), “Chama” (恰玛, silver belts), and “Bako” (八可, triple-beard pendants). These pieces are exceptionally refined.
Furthermore, He Qiankun has studied the symbolic meanings behind traditional motifs such as the Eight Auspicious Symbols (吉祥八瑞) and lotus scrolls (串枝莲), skillfully incorporating Buddhist cultural elements into his jewelry designs. His works are highly cherished by local communities.
Promotion and Transmission
As a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor, He Qiankun actively fulfills his responsibilities in preserving and passing on the tradition. He has developed several modern tools to resolve challenges faced in traditional production processes. Moreover, he devotes great efforts to nurturing the younger generation’s interest in the craft, offering meticulous guidance to aspiring learners. Inspired by his father, He Qiankun’s son has also developed a strong passion for Tibetan jewelry-making.
Through mentorship, participation in cultural activities, and innovative design, He Qiankun has successfully inherited and revitalized the art of Tibetan silver jewelry craftsmanship, making significant contributions to the preservation and development of this intangible cultural heritage.
