Craftsman gives leaves life to make palm leaf crafts

The craft of palm fiber weaving, which originated in the Three Kingdoms (220-280), has a history that spans more than 1,700 years in China. In 2011, it was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Cao Guihua is an experienced palm plant fiber weaving craftsman living in Jiangsu Province in eastern China. Under the influence of his elders, Cao fantasized about palm fiber weaving crafts when he was a child and chose to follow his life. CAO’s palm fiber woven works are almost animal-shaped ornaments. In order to make more vivid and realistic palm fiber animals, CAO usually observes the animals he wants to weave first, use iron wire to make a skeleton frame, and then use palm plant fibers to complete the work.

Unlike other weaving craftsmen who prefer various colors and different raw materials, CAO still sticks to traditional palm leaves, even though items made from palm fiber can only be preserved in a relatively short period of time. To make his palm fiber weaving last longer, CAO boils fresh palm leaves, lets them air-dry, and then uses them to weave crafts that can be preserved for more than 10 years. In recent years, CAO has made some innovations and improvements to his handicrafts to attract more people, especially young people, and to promote the development and inheritance of this craft by providing curriculum in local schools.