Daoshun Village

“It is for the museum”.

The process of bark cloth making is physically demanding, and the most suitable tree is not only a protected species but also poisonous. It is therefore not surprising that bark cloth items are now made just for museums or tourist shows. Chengquan learnt the the craft from his father, who had in turn discovered the skill out of necessity in the army. “They had nothing to wear otherwise, it is warm and waterproof”. Today, with modern fabrics, there is no need for bark cloth, and he adds “It doesn’t look great, who would wear it?”

Bark cloth making, along with many traditional crafts, are what the government title as “intangible cultural heritage” and require preserving. Currently their preservation method seems to only involve retaining where possible the knowledge that still exists. The problem is that often this knowledge is a skill that is held in the hands of single craftspeople and needs to be passed down apprentice-style to the next generation. Without progression of the craft to produce items relevant to modern society, it holds no attraction to the younger generation. Without progression of the craft to attract a younger following, there are no apprentices to inherit this knowledge. Although museums are able to keep the crafts surviving for the time being by creating a temporary demand, in reality they are only really preparing for their extinction.