Mazei-woven crafts

Mazei-woven crafts

　　Mazei, also known as "langji," "mangjigu," or "tie langji," and commonly referred to as "earth vine," belongs to the Dipteridaceae family and is a type of fern. It grows under the forest on mountain slopes and plays a role in soil and water conservation, serving as an indicator plant for acidic soils. Its stem is small, jointless, with a maximum diameter of only five millimeters, and can grow up to about two meters long. The mazei skin is hard and naturally brownish; the inner core is soft and tough like vine, light yellow in color, and turns pure white after steaming and processing. Mazei that has grown wild for three years has both skin and core that serve as premium materials for weaving. In the Shiwandashan Mountain area, particularly in the three counties of Shangsi, Ningming, and Fangcheng in southwestern Guangxi, mazei grows especially lush and boasts the finest quality.

　　The main products of Guangxi mazei-woven crafts include suitcases, bread baskets, hand baskets, clothing boxes, bookshelves, flowerpot covers, mats, and twelve other major categories, with more than 4,300 varieties and around 1,000 regularly sold styles.