Lan Xiaoyan, a She culture inheritor in Wuyi county, Jinhua, Zhejiang province checks the traditional attire she has meticulously crafted. [Photo/Tide News]
Lan Xiaoyan, a dedicated protector of She culture in Wuyi County, Jinhua, Zhejiang province, has been working tirelessly to preserve She culture since 2017, when she was appointed as an intangible cultural heritage inheritor.
At the forefront of her endeavors is leading a group of local women in the intricate art of crafting sachets featuring embroidery, which originated over a millennium ago among She women in ancient China.
Lan shared that the process of making sachets involves four meticulous steps — threading, sewing fabric, filling with aromatic substances, and stitching, each demanding precision, care, and patience from the artisan.
Lan has also spearheaded various initiatives, including the establishment of a performance troupe, the facilitation of She ethnic cultural training, and the creation of a She ethnic cultural center.
Furthermore, Lan actively organizes summer workshops focused on crafting ethnic accessories, aimed at nurturing new talents to carry forward the legacy of She ethnic culture.
Notably, she passionately encourages rural She women, including those who are full-time mothers or left behind in their communities, to engage in crafting She ethnic cultural products. Through these efforts, Lan not only provides them with jobs but also harnesses their wisdom and strength to contribute to the vision of common prosperity in Wuyi's rural areas.
