North Pit Straw Mats

North Pit Straw Mats

　　These are a specialty of Panwu in Beikeng, near Taicheng. Most residents in this area are surnamed Pan and live in clan communities. During the idle period from the Autumn Equinox to just before the late rice harvest, industrious households often take up weaving straw mats as a side job. Once woven, the mats are carried to markets or nearby villages to be sold. Mischievous children, upon seeing them arrive, jokingly call them “the Emperor Pangu selling mats.” The straw used in North Pit mats is a local specialty—round, fine, soft, and durable. Its hollow core resembles that of a lampwick grass, making it capable of insulating against heat in summer. In winter, when placed under mattresses, it retains warmth; the poor would add glutinous rice straw to further boost insulation. Many consider it a treasured product of Taishan as well.