The Change Of Textile Technology In Shannan, Tibet

In September, the south of the mountain is clear and crisp in autumn. Clouds float over the Yalong River Valley, and the fragrance of highland barley fills the air. The "zetier" intangible cultural heritage textile is like a white hada, connecting the memory of traditional Chinese culture like a starry river. It has passed through thousands of years and reappears in the new era.

In 641 A.D., Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty brought the advanced textile technology of Han nationality into Tibet, and then integrated it into the traditional Tibetan weaving technology, forming a unique "zetier" textile technology, which has a history of more than 1300 years.

"Zetier" is a unique woolen Serge textile product in Zedang Town, Shannan city. Before the peaceful liberation of Tibet, "zetier" was a special tribute fabric used by eminent monks and dignitaries to make clothes. "Zetier is originated from the people and hopes to return to the daily life of ordinary people."

However, due to the complexity of the process and the difficulty of production, the "zetier" textile technology was once on the verge of extinction. In 2008, Basang organized 7 farmers to set up a professional cooperative for ethnic Huaji weaving in Naidong district (hereinafter referred to as the cooperative), which deeply explored and innovated the raw materials, dyeing, textile and other processes of "zetier", so as to bring this ancient technology back to life.

"I've only heard about zetier, and it's a very important textile technology, but I haven't seen any products." Basan told reporters that in order to let more people understand and wear "zetier", he made "zetier" gradually come into people's vision on the basis of preliminary excavation and research, with the mode of professional cooperative production.

Located in Shannan Economic Development Zone, the cooperative is a targeted poverty alleviation industrial base integrating design, production, processing and sales, technology inheritance, and assistance.

In 2016, Naidong District of Shannan City incorporated the cooperative into the "13th five year plan" targeted poverty alleviation industry project, integrated various funds of 25.52 million yuan (the same below), and the enterprise raised 2.98 million yuan by itself to build new factories, expand scale and expand sales.

The cooperative takes "zetier" as its trademark, and actively innovates and develops cooperation channels. In 2013, Tibet Huaji Clothing Co., Ltd. was established in cooperation with Beijing langzi group. Zetier products gradually went out of Tibet, and its trademark won the gold medal of China international trademark brand festival for 4 consecutive years.

Basang told reporters that in 2020, the total output value of the cooperative will reach 8.6 million yuan, the profit will be more than 2.4 million yuan, 132 people will be employed stably, and the per capita income will be increased by 32000 yuan. At the same time, more than 400 people around the cooperative will be employed nearby. "Zetier" will also be rated as a national intangible cultural heritage in May 2021.

On September 13, 2021 Yalong Cultural Tourism Festival opened. The "Yarlung Zangbo" modern Tibetan clothing show featured by "zetier" fabric stepped onto the modern stage along the Yalong River, which was also the first release of the series of clothing in Tibet. More than 70 sets of clothing and accessories, elaborated the profound connotation of Shannan clothing from various angles, which became another source of creative transformation and innovative development of textile intangible cultural heritage in Shannan city.

"The development and inheritance of the" zetier "Textile Technology in Tibet is a fine product of the integration of the advanced textile technology in the mainland and the traditional Tibetan textile technology." Basang said that the products integrated the national characteristics and fashion elements, which were favored by more young people.

"Shannan City, located in the middle and lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, is the birthplace of Tibetan culture, with rich intangible cultural heritage resources and distinctive characteristics." according to Si Gangcun, Secretary of the Party group of Shannan Municipal Bureau of culture, Shannan city has 3 national level intangible cultural heritage techniques, 4 autonomous region level and 5 municipal and county-level intangible cultural heritage techniques, "all of which have a history of more than 1000 years."

According to Si Gangcun, Shannan is the Eastern District of zetier, Zhagang County, jiedexiu bangdian of Gongga County, zhaza clothing of cuomei County, Luoba clothing of Longzi County, etc., which enjoy a high reputation in Tibet Autonomous Region and its surrounding areas, and the intangible cultural heritage culture is full of vitality.

(source: China News Network)