This article is reproduced from: China News Network
China News Service, Liuzhou, July 15th, title: Guangxi blind bamboo weaving craftsman: once walked 60 kilometers into the village to weave every stone along the way
Author Liu Juncong
On July 15, Wu Laocai, leaning on a slender bamboo pole and wearing a shirt that was washed and wrinkled, returned home along the undulating path in the village. , which is one of the few remaining Dong stilted buildings in the village. He stepped onto the palm-width wooden steps calmly, and no one could notice that he was a blind man who had been blind for a long time.
The 60-year-old Wu Laocai lives in Meizhaitun, Sunjiang Village, Liangkou Township, Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County, Liuzhou City, Guangxi Province. He is a well-known blind bamboo weaving craftsman. Due to illness, Wu Laocai lost his “light” since he was two years old. In order to make a living, he began to learn bamboo weaving skills from his master at the age of 18.
“It was very difficult to learn at the beginning. I dismantled all the bamboo weaving products in my house, and used my hands to feel the weaving methods and structures of different bamboo weaving products. Then, through the hands-on guidance of the master and family members Study slowly.” Wu Lao Cai said.
During the conversation, I saw him pinching and pulling with his hands dexterously, and the slender bamboo sticks accurately penetrated into the hole only the size of a fingernail. In less than two hours, a beautiful piece of bamboo. Small bamboo weaving products are produced. In the life of bamboo weaving for decades, Wu Laocai’s bamboo weaving skills are quite skilled. From cutting the bamboo to the final bamboo weaving, he completes the entire process independently.
The quality of bamboo has a decisive influence on the quality of bamboo weaving. The bamboo forests behind the mountains are the “treasure land” of Wu Laocai. Whenever there was a shortage of materials, Wu Laocai would go up the mountain with a machete to cut bamboo. He repeatedly rubbed the bamboo noodles with his right hand, and then he lifted the knife and dropped a bamboo with a thick bowl on his shoulders and took him home. .
“I can only choose bamboo by touching it. Bamboo with a smooth surface is not easy to cut, so I will not choose it; and bamboo with a ‘sticky’ surface is easier to handle and is the best choice.” Wu Laocai said.
In Guangxi, bamboo woven products are indispensable items, and various bamboo woven products can be used to shelter from wind and rain, bring meals, and even “pretend” children. As his fame spread, Wu Laocai began to walk out of the house and was invited to help weaving bamboo utensils in various villages. A bamboo pole used to guide the way became his most faithful companion on the journey.
In the early years, transportation was inconvenient, and Wu Laocai had to walk all day over mountains and mountains to reach the territory of Guizhou Province, 60 kilometers away. He memorized every pass, every curve, and even every stone along the way. In the eyes of his younger brother Wu Fortune, this is completely unbelievable.
“Now when we are in the car together, he can always tell us in detail the specific location of each village and mountain col. It is hard to imagine that he has figured it out one by one. In the eyes of others , he has always been a warm-hearted person, no matter how far he is invited, he will go.” Wu Caifu said.
Nowadays, Wu Laocai has become a well-known local bamboo craftsman and is widely recognized by everyone. For most of the year, Wu Laocai goes out to help villages weave bamboo utensils and sells them at a price of 15 yuan each, which brings him enough income to make a living.
“Last year, I helped more than 300 households weave bamboo utensils. This is everyone’s affirmation of my skills. As long as I can walk, I will continue to weave.” Wu Laocai said.