Xinfan Palm Weaving

Xinfan Palm Weaving

Xinfan palm weaving is a national-level intangible cultural heritage.

　　The craft of Xinfan palm weaving originated in the late Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty, boasting a history of over 200 years. Historical records indicate that as early as the late Jiaqing period, women in Xinfan had the tradition of “splitting tender palm leaves into strands to weave sandals.” In the picturesque countryside and rural courtyards, it’s common to see local women crafting miraculous handmade items. Particularly notable are the slippers, which are considered the pinnacle of Xinfan palm weaving. They are comfortable, breathable, elegant, lightweight, pollution-free, moisture-proof, and durable, making them widely popular among consumers.

　　　　The primary materials for Xinfan palm weaving come from tender palm leaves sourced from mountainous regions such as Dujiangyan City (formerly Guan County), Pengzhou City (formerly Peng County), Dayi County, and Qionglai County. Every April is the best time for artisans to harvest these young palm leaves. The freshly picked green leaves are first processed using a needle comb to separate them into fine strands, resembling strands of green noodles. Artisans then skillfully twist some of the strands into palm ropes. These strands and ropes undergo soaking, sulfur fumigation, sun drying, and decolorization, or some are dyed in various colors to serve as special decorations for the woven products. Models—either wooden or clay—are used to shape the items during production. The main hand-weaving techniques of Xinfan palm weaving fall into three types: The first is called the pepper-eye technique, where warp threads made of palm strands are interlaced at equal intervals to form diamond patterns, then two weft threads are threaded through the four corners of the diamonds, and so on, creating beautifully regular patterns reminiscent of window lattices. The second is the dense weaving method, where artisans use consistent spacing and repeated fine weaving. This method is typically used for products like shoes and fans. The third is the herringbone technique, which designs or controls the warp and weft direction or composition in a herringbone pattern. This method is commonly applied to everyday items such as hats and mats, characterized by its elegance. Summer and autumn are peak production seasons for Xinfan palm weaving. Artisans adjust their production flexibly according to seasonal changes and demand—mainly producing cool hats and slippers in summer, and woven bags in autumn. As a widely known folk handicraft in the Xinfan area, many rural women are skilled in this craft. According to elders, in the 1920s and 1930s, a Xinfan woman who couldn’t weave palm products would face significant challenges in finding a husband, highlighting how palm weaving was considered an important measure of a woman’s dexterity, intelligence, and capability. The entire weaving and processing procedure is quite intricate and meticulous. Completing a single product often involves over ten steps, including strand separation, steaming, decolorization, initial weaving, joining, edging, trimming, cutting, shaving, and coloring. For example, to weave a single cool hat, a skilled artisan can only finish two per day, showcasing the complexity and delicacy of the craft.

　　　　Xinfan palm weaving has a glorious history. Historical records note that emperors such as Tongzhi, Guangxu, and Xuantong of the late Qing Dynasty all wore palm leaf hats woven by artisans from Xinfan. As early as the late Qing Dynasty, forward-thinking individuals began selling Xinfan’s palm-woven goods to Southeast Asian countries. During the Republican era, a dedicated palm weaving market was established outside the Guanyin Pavilion near the west gate of Xinfan. The market operated annually from the second lunar month to the eighth lunar month. Around 36,000 to 37,000 pairs of sandal uppers were sold each year. Aside from 5,000 to 6,000 pairs sold within the county, the rest were distributed to Chengdu, Peng County, Jianyang, Guanghan, Jintang, and Yunnan. In the 34th year of the Republic of China (1945), at the invitation of the China International Relief Committee, one straw hat, one pair of sandals, two pairs of slippers, one schoolbag, four packages of palm cloth, and four types of models were sent to Chengdu to participate in a handicraft symposium. In 1953, Xinfan palm weaving entered the international market starting with the first Chinese Export Commodities Fair. Over time, the range expanded from a few varieties to nearly a hundred, reaching markets in Japan, Europe, America, and Southeast Asia. After 1958, palm-woven products were directly exported by the provincial foreign trade company. In March 1958, veteran palm weavers from Xinfan Town—including Yin Yuhua, Luo Anqiong, and Jing Yuhuai—jointly crafted an exquisitely made and brightly colored set of palm-woven crafts, including pillowcases, slippers, and bags, as a tribute to Chairman Mao Zedong. Their work received high praise from central leadership. In 1962, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Mao Zedong’s “Talks at the Yan’an Forum on Literature and Art,” the National Art and Craft Exhibition was held at the Beijing Art Museum, featuring over 60 palm-woven items. In 1963, when Chinese President 1 and Marshal Chen Yi visited Indonesia, more than 10 gifts—including palm-woven sandals, hats, pillowcases, and seat cushions from Xinfan—were presented to foreign dignitaries. In 1964, on the 15th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Xindu County selected 23 types and 124 pieces of palm-woven items to exhibit at the Beijing Arts and Crafts Exhibition and tour 11 Asian and African countries, including Syria, Algeria, and Ethiopia. In 1974, when China gathered art pieces for display in the United States, Xindu County contributed over 300 palm-woven items. After evaluation, 165 items across 8 categories were selected for the U.S. exhibition. Jing Yuhuai, an 88-year-old veteran artisan, witnessed the golden age of Xinfan palm weaving. She attended the National Model Workers' Conference in Beijing three times and demonstrated her palm weaving skills in Chongqing five times. Among her most unforgettable experiences was weaving a hat for Chairman Mao and being received by him and other Party and state leaders. In 1965, her daughter was commissioned to knit a pair of slippers for Chairman Mao and received 70 yuan in compensation from the Chairman’s office. As a crystallization of the wisdom of the working people of Xinfan, Xinfan palm weaving has been passed down through generations, retaining the original ecological characteristics of folk handicrafts. It embodies the traditional virtues of perseverance and the simple, natural aesthetic tastes of the Chinese nation. In November 2006, Xinfan palm weaving was included in the first batch of municipal intangible cultural heritage lists by the Chengdu Municipal People's Government. Today, Xinfan’s palm weaving craft is primarily practiced in villages under the jurisdiction of Xinfan Town in Xindu District, Chengdu, such as Gongyi, Jingshui, Qushui, Tonglian, and Shiyun. It has become a distinctive feature of folk handicrafts. During the agricultural off-season, skilled Xinfan women weave palm items to supplement their family income.