Yu Ziliang – Inheritor of Crossbow-making Craft in Weixi County, Diqing 

Yu Ziliang (余自良), a male artisan of the Lisu ethnic group (傈僳族), was born in 1960 in the Baimaluoda Village Group (白马洛大村村民小组), Luona Village (倮那村), Yezhi Town (叶枝镇), Weixi County (维西县), Diqing Prefecture (迪庆州). He is a renowned local craftsman specializing in the traditional Lisu crossbow-making craft. In 2002, he was officially recognized by the Department of Culture of Yunnan Province (云南省文化厅) as a representative inheritor of the second batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage projects.

Learning the Craft

Born into a family of hunters, Yu Ziliang was deeply influenced by his grandfather, Chu Zaiqie (楚仔且), a legendary hunter in the Lancang River (澜沧江) basin. His grandfather’s crossbows were admired for their elegant form, fine craftsmanship, long range, and precise aim, and were highly respected by Lisu men. From a young age, Yu Ziliang learned crossbow-making from his grandfather, inheriting not only his full set of skills but also his meticulous spirit as a traditional hunter.

Promotion and Inheritance

Yu Ziliang began independently crafting crossbows in his twenties and has continued for nearly 40 years. Every crossbow he creates reflects a blend of aesthetic design and high craftsmanship. Although crossbows have shifted in use from hunting tools to sporting equipment and collectible crafts, Yu remains dedicated to traditional methods. He invests ample time and effort in each step—from material selection to fine polishing—ensuring no process is skipped and that quality is never compromised.

In addition to making crossbows himself, Yu actively teaches the craft to others. Many young Lisu people in the area seek him out to become apprentices, and he patiently passes on his knowledge and skills to the next generation.

Craftsmanship Features

Yu Ziliang follows a strict set of procedures in making crossbows, including material selection, bow crafting, frame construction, trigger mechanism (locally called “ya zi” 牙子), and bowstring making.

  • Wood Selection: He primarily uses Yangsang wood (岩桑木) from the banks of the Lancang River (澜沧江), valued for its fine texture, softness, elasticity, and resistance to cracking.

  • Bow Frame: Typically made from oak wood (栎木), known for its strength and durability.

  • Trigger Mechanism: Crafted from ox bone or bear bone for sturdiness and precision.

  • Bowstring: Made from high-quality hemp fibers, hand-twisted for strength and flexibility.

Social and Cultural Value

With improvements in living conditions, the Lisu people no longer rely on hunting for survival, and traditional hunting tools have gradually faded from daily life. However, crossbow shooting has evolved into a recreational and fitness-oriented sport and is now recognized as a national ethnic minority sporting event in China.
Athletes from the Weixi Lisu Autonomous County (维西傈僳族自治县) have won multiple awards at national and provincial ethnic sports games, contributing to the preservation and promotion of both crossbow shooting and crossbow-making traditions.

Through his mentorship, participation in cultural activities, and innovative craftsmanship, Yu Ziliang (余自良) has successfully carried forward the legacy of Lisu crossbow-making. His efforts have made a significant contribution to the preservation and development of this intangible cultural heritage.

For Chinese version please go to:
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-2757.html