Traditional Handicraft of Duhegong

Traditional Handicraft of Duhegong

　　The craft of making Duhegong is a traditional custom of the Zhuang ethnic group, passed down in Sanli Town, Shanglin County, Guangxi. The early form of Duhegong featured a faceless, black-headed figure with no braids, hugging a pumpkin with all four limbs. Over time, artisans added a charming smile and delicate braids to the originally faceless, dark-headed Duhegong, instantly transforming its somewhat eerie image into something lively and adorable. Duhegong is a small embroidered cloth figure sewn from colorful fabrics, dressed in Ming Dynasty-style attire, and cradling a golden-yellow pumpkin in its arms. The entire production of Duhegong is handmade, primarily using fabric materials. The “pumpkin” is stuffed with dried mugwort, angelica, atractylodes, and other traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, so the faint fragrance of the aromatic mugwort exuding from the Duhegong can bring a refreshing and invigorating feeling.

　　The finished Duhegong can be hung around a child’s neck with red or yellow silk thread, dangling down to the navel area, believed to protect the child’s health and safety. People craft Duhegong as a way to express longing for ancestors, pray for the well-being of all beings, ensure peace and safety, and ward off disasters, while also wishing for favorable weather, prosperity, and health in the future.

　　As the tradition of Duhegong has spread far and wide, the number of visitors coming to see Duhegong-related events has grown significantly each year. The image of Duhegong has also become increasingly beloved. In recent years, with artisans frequently showcasing their work at external events, Duhegong figures have often appeared at activities such as the Nanning International Folk Song Art Festival and food culture festivals. In 2007, during the Folk Song Festival, more than ten traditional artisans including Huang Mei traveled to Nanning, Guangxi, to present exquisitely crafted Duhegong products to guests from all over, while also introducing the local Duhegong folk activities of Sanli, helping more people learn about this unique traditional custom. In 2008, artisans such as Zhong Weirong gave out Duhegong souvenirs to participants during a hand-in-hand event on Guangxi TV, further boosting the fame of Duhegong. Among the newer generation of artisans, Shi Dongdong and others began adding silk cotton to the inner lining of the craft, resulting in a fuller and more attractive appearance that quickly won public favor. The appearance of Duhegong has also evolved from a single style to one rich in diversity and visual appeal. Changes include going from a faceless figure to a cute smiling face; from no braids to delicate ones; from a single person hugging a pumpkin to two or even four figures embracing one; and from the size of a thumb to as large as a soccer ball. The function of Duhegong has also expanded beyond being a simple commemorative item to becoming car interior decorations, wedding and birth gifts, health care items, and travel souvenirs. With the incorporation of many modern elements into the crafting of Duhegong, it has not only become an universally adored travel product but is also exported overseas. Duhegong has now been included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage protection items in Nanning.

　　Source: Shanglin Tourism Website