Folk straw weaving skills at the Yellow River Estuary
The folk straw weaving technique of the Yellow River Estuary is a project on the second batch of provincial intangible cultural heritage list of Shandong Province. It is spread in Kenli County, Shandong Province and the coastal areas of the Yellow River Estuary, and has a history of thousands of years. After continuous exploration and research by generations of straw weaving technicians, the unique folk handicraft of the Yellow River Estuary has reached a high level. Its complex production process, superb manual skills and original ecological material works reflect the unique charm of the Yellow River Estuary culture. Kenli County is located in the warm temperate semi-humid monsoon climate zone and is also the place where the Yellow River flows into the sea. The land here is vast, the fresh water resources are abundant, and the wetlands are in patches, which is very conducive to the growth of vegetation. The main wild vegetation is reeds, white reeds, grass, willows, red sorghum, etc. The raw materials used in the folk straw weaving technique of the Yellow River Estuary are taken from the vegetation grown under the unique natural conditions of the Yellow River Estuary. After conception, material selection, coloring, baking and forming. The entire production process does not use any chemical raw materials, and it is natural and environmentally friendly. The unique craftsmanship makes the works realistic and lifelike, never fade or deform, and are loved by local people. After generations of innovation and development by inheritors, straw weaving products have gradually developed from daily necessities to appreciation-oriented works of art. At present, after continuous research and exploration by the inheritor Zhang Kuishan, this technique has formed three major series, which are well received by art experts and favored by merchants. The folk straw weaving of the Yellow River Estuary has won awards in national, provincial and municipal exhibitions and competitions for its unique creativity, pure handmade, pure natural green and environmental protection. Its products are sold to many countries and regions such as Singapore, South Korea, and Japan. Representative works include: "Danfeng Chaoyang", "Shuofeng Jilang", "2008 Olympic Dragon", "China's First Dragon", "Lotus Carp", etc.