Huang, 24, is a native of Maodao township in Wuzhishan county, South China's Hainan Province. Born into a family of the Li ethnic group, he was exposed to Li culture as a child, especially the ethnic brocade (织绵), which is famous for its bright, striking colors. But he had no idea how to weave it. "My parents are lifetime farmers, and no one in the family really knew much about weaving the brocade" he said.
Huang did not know much about craftsmanship until he was in high school, when local authorities organized an event to introduce intangible cultural heritage to the school campus in 2016. "I was fascinated instantly" he said. Since then, he fell in love with Li brocade and became the only boy in his home village who could weave it.
"I developed a genuine and everlasting love for the ethnic craft, but some villagers cannot understand why a man is addicted to weaving" he says. "They think it's a girl's thing." Regardless of it, Huang continued chasing after his weaving dream.
The intangible cultural heritage of Li brocade dates back to more than 3,000 years. In line with Li tradition, the weaving techniques are only "passed on to women, not to men", as in ancient China, men were supposed to do farm work while women weaved.
In recent years, Hainan education authorities have introduced the traditional craft in local schools, so that the younger generation can understand and learn about the ethnic culture.
When Huang learned of the ancient craftsmanship in high school, he started weaving almost immediately. "I gave my first handmade brocade piece to my teacher to express my gratitude for her guidance." said Huang.
