Yu Ershuai – Representative Inheritor of  Dai Brocade Craft Project in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna

Yu Ershuai (玉儿甩), born in 1958 in Manluandian Village Group (曼乱点村小组), Manmai Village (曼迈村), Gasa Town (嘎洒镇), Jinghong City (景洪市), Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州), represents the fifth generation of a distinguished Dai brocade (傣锦) weaving family.

Master Weaver’s Journey

From Apprentice to National Treasure

Trained by her grandmother and mother, Yu mastered by age 15:

• Cotton fluffing and spinning
• Intricate weaving techniques
• Natural dyeing processes
• Complex pattern arrangement

Her repertoire includes 60+ traditional items:

Ceremonial Buddhist banners
Ornate bed coverings
Decorative pieces featuring:

• Peacocks and pagodas
• Floral and geometric patterns
• Anthropomorphic designs

Professional Distinctions

Honors and Recognitions

Yu’s accolades include:

• National Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor (2018)
• Provincial Dai Brocade Technique Inheritor
• “Dai Artisan (傣乡工匠)” title recipient
• Yunnan’s “Cloud Ridge Chief Technician” honor

Cultural Stewardship

Weaving Knowledge Across Generations

Yu’s teaching legacy:
500+ apprentices trained
Regular lectures at:

• Yunnan Arts University
• Zhejiang University
• Chongqing Arts Institute

International demonstrations:

• 2019 Japan Cultural Exchange
• Huangshan Intangible Heritage Exhibition

Socioeconomic Impact

Threads of Prosperity

Through Xishuangbanna Banjin Dai Brocade Cultural Industry Co., Ltd (西双版纳版锦傣族织锦文化产业有限公司), established with her son Yan Hanbing (岩罕丙), Yu implements:

• “Company+Cooperative+Households” model
• Free training with lodging
• Market expansion strategies

Results include:

• Revitalized village economies
• Increased household incomes
• Global recognition of Dai textiles

Preservation Framework

Safeguarding a Living Heritage

Since Dai brocade’s 2008 national ICH listing:

Training Centers

• Manluandian Village (曼乱点村) workshop
• Annual technical workshops

Policy Support

• Government-sponsored promotion
• Cross-village learning initiatives

Commercial Development

• Hybrid production models
• Contemporary design integration

Yu Ershuai’s career embodies the perfect synthesis of cultural preservation and innovative adaptation, ensuring this ancient craft continues thriving in the modern era.

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http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-3148.html