Kala Ethnic Village

Kala Ethnic Village

Kala Ethnic Village

Kala Ethnic Village is located in the northeastern part of Danzhai County, situated on the upper reaches of Baini River and the eastern bank of Fugui River, about 3 kilometers from the county seat. The village comprises one natural settlement, three villager groups, with 114 households and a total population of 483. It covers an area of 1.23 square kilometers and is an ethnic Miao settlement.

The Miao people in Kala Village have a long history of crafting birdcages, dating back over 400 years. The Miao community, who have lived here for generations, are renowned for their birdcage-making skills. The cages are primarily made from materials such as nan bamboo, golden bamboo, and thunder bamboo—durable and resistant to deformation. The exquisitely crafted birdcages are highly popular, not only selling well across the province but also exported to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, and Europe & America. There is a wide variety of birdcages, differing in size, specifications, and shapes. In addition to standard models, there are premium birdcages that integrate craftsmanship such as weaving, carving, batik, embroidery, calligraphy, and painting—truly exquisite works of rare artistic value.

The Miao people have a long-standing love for keeping birds. Those who are fond of birds pay particular attention to having a birdcage that meets their taste. When it comes to birdcages, people naturally think of Kala Village, which is widely known for its production. On one hand, it has earned a longstanding reputation due to its centuries-old birdcage-making tradition; on the other hand, its exceptional craftsmanship has won praise and favor from customers both in China and abroad. As a result, Kala Village has been awarded the title of “Home of Chinese Birdcage Weaving Art” by the Guizhou Provincial Department of Culture.

Since ancient times, every household in Kala Village has been skilled in making birdcages, with artisans found in every home. The birdcages they produce are of exquisite craftsmanship, featuring unique shapes, simple yet elegant designs, attractive appearances, and long-lasting practicality. In terms of specifications, there are single-wire and double-wire types; in terms of shape, they come in rectangular, square, round, and oval forms, with round being the most common; regarding varieties, there are cages for thrushes, pheasants, skylarks, and sparrows, among others; structurally, they vary in height and size, and can be categorized as inner or outer, with some designed in layered or compartmental forms. Beyond standard birdcages, there are particularly refined ones: the cages are mostly round, with wooden or crystal glass beads atop, strung with antimony or copper arc hooks to form single-bead or double-bead chain hooks. The left and right bamboo frames of the cage door are often carved with patterns such as “two dragons playing with a pearl,” “two dragons playing with a phoenix,” “a lion dancing fiercely,” or “a roc spreading its wings.” Some cage doors also feature carvings of “a peacock spreading its tail” or “a red phoenix facing the sun” on the horizontal beams. Most of the lower rim frames of the cages are engraved with phrases like “dragons and phoenixes bring prosperity” or “good fortune as one wishes,” and some depict vivid images of flying dragons and phoenixes. Inside the cage, there is a perch, sometimes carved with images of “two dragons fighting over a pearl” or “two lions playing.” At the top ends of the perch, near the cage rim, a beautifully decorated porcelain cup is hung on each side. The exterior of the cage is wrapped with locally produced batik or embroidered cloth.

Today, the Miao people of Kala Village are leveraging their unique traditional folk craftsmanship by adopting a “company + farmer” model to establish the “Danzhai County Ethnic Handicraft Birdcage Factory.” Out of the village’s 114 households, 98 are engaged in birdcage production, accounting for 86%; of the total population of 483, as many as 250 people are involved in the industry. The village produces 85,000 birdcages annually, generating an output value of 1.275 million yuan, a profit of 1.0128 million yuan, and tax payments exceeding 100,000 yuan. Income from birdcage production has become a major source of increased earnings for the farmers of Kala Village.