Young Tibetans and Tibetan Handicrafts

July,27 2016 BY Master Catherine Jigme 0 COMMENTS

Nowadays, traditional handicrafts are hard to keep, given the discretion that all things are speeding up into a modern world. Yet the real challenge raised by some Tibetan artists is how to pass on their traditional handicraft and their heritages to the next generation.
Baiyu County, famous for its handicraft of metal work is situated in Garze of Tibet. The products, there, are not only delicate, exquisite, but also useful in Tibetan people’ everyday life. This traditional handicraft was even listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2005.

Some traditions will just fade away with time goes by, yet Tibetan handicraft will not be one of them. Some artists would like to teach his sons or daughters at a very young age. This artisan is only 28 years old, but has been practicing the handicraft for over 2 decades! One piece of art may cost him several days, weeks or even months. Genquudanzhen, the artisan, said, "My father began to teach me this skill when I was only 6. The handicrafts and me are like close friends. I live with it, eat with it, even sleep with it. This skill passed on by our ancestors, was also taught to some poor children by my father. Now it is my duty to keep the traditional craft alive.”
When things are getting faster in this world, this young man is trying to be more slower; when everyone is concentrating on efficiency, this young man is focusing on the details. May the world leave a pure land for Tibetan artists and Tibetan handicrafts.

About the Author - Master Catherine Jigme

With exceptional passion and outstanding leadership, Mrs. Catherine has dedicated herself to Tibet inbound tourism and China tour for 15 years. As one of the handful females who see great potential of Chinese inbound tourism, Catherine has made great contribution to promoting Tibet tourism and enhancing the employment of Tibetans and prosperity of local Tibetan community.

Over the years, she travelled overseas with Tibet Tourism Bureau many times to promote Tibet tourism. Currently, Catherine works as the marketing director of Tibet Vista, an opinion leader behind the whole team of Tibet Vista.

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