Ma Zhenren, a distinguished inheritor of the Guyuan traditional architecture expertise, a national intangible cultural heritage (ICH) item, recently made the list of excellent craftsmen in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region in Northwest China.

Ma, 59, from Yuanzhou district, Guyuan, has dedicated over four decades to this craft, embodying the essence of craftsmanship.

Ma Zhenren and his architecture works. [Photo/WeChat account: gylyxc]

Ma's journey began in 1982 when he was just 18 years old. Over the years, he has mastered core techniques such as dovetail joints and dougong combinations. He challenged traditional construction's reliance on experience by developing a mnemonic for dougong (interlocking wooden brackets) modules in the Liupan Mountain area and improving construction materials, enhancing the durability of traditional dwellings.

In 2008, Ma founded the Dayuan Traditional Architecture Craftsmanship Inheritance Base, collecting over 1,500 traditional tools and components and establishing a free exhibition hall. His efforts have brought ICH into schools and training institutions, offering free training to over 5,000 individuals, including both students and migrant workers.

Ma's recognition as a Craftsman in Ningxia underscores his technical prowess and the value of cultural preservation. His base has been acknowledged as an "Outstanding Inheritance Base" and a "Cultural Industry Demonstration Base".

Looking ahead, Ma aims to leverage this honor to further teach and inspire others, ensuring the craft continues to thrive in modern urban and rural development.